Kevin Meerschaert
Younger voters in Jacksonville want more people near their age to head to the polls in the city elections this spring.
The goal of the nonpartisan group Jax Young Voters Coalition (jaxyoungvoters.com) is to increase turnout of voters between 18 and 40 by at least 5% from previous elections.
It held a meet-and-greet with a local candidates Wednesday evening at local brewery Intuition Ale Works. Dozens of candidates, including all four running for mayor appeared at the event to talk with voters.
Coalition member Democrat Meredith O’Malley Johnson said it was quite a turnout, given they announced the alliance only a few weeks ago and word of the “Ballots and Brews” gathering was distributed only through social media.
“I think having different events like this, that is, not your typical candidate forum, with a more casual atmosphere where they can talk to candidates in a more friendly way, is really important to our age group,” she said.
Republican Coalition member Jesse Wilson withdrew his candidacy for City Council last year but remains active in the community. “I hear people complain all the time ‘Why are things this way?’ But you look back and they didn’t vote, and they didn’t what the issues where” he said. “But we are going to do it, tell young voters these are issues and here is where the candidates stand.”
Several hundred voters stopped by to chat with the candidates; about 30 used the opportunity to register to vote in Duval County.
David Stewart said he liked the more informal way he was able to talk issues with the candidates. He said he’s voted in every election he could since turning 18, but always wanted to hear more information about local races. Stewart said local issues have more of an affect on Jacksonville residents and voters have more control over what gets accomplished.
