The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has launched what it describes as a “mid-six figure” ad campaign targeting young voters on college campuses in key battleground states, including Georgia.
The Georgia leg of the campaign will reach nearly 30 colleges across the nation, including several in the Peach State at Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Spelman College. Clark and Spelman are both liberal arts schools, while Morehouse is a historically black private liberal arts school for men.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for President, has been courting Black male voters whom the party worries are not turning out as heavily for Democrats this cycle.
The targeted advertising campaign directs students to IWillVote.com/NC, which contains information about how and where to vote early in their area. It also urges support for Harris, her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and down-ballot Democrats.
“Whether it’s the race to send Vice President Harris and Governor Walz to the White House, or competitive House and Senate races, young voters know they can be the difference this election season,” DNC Chair Jaime Harrison said.
“Democrats are fighting for students’ freedoms and their futures — from protecting reproductive rights, to fighting for student loan relief, to combating climate change and building a strong economy — so that students can get ahead after graduation. Young people in Georgia who may be new to voting will be empowered to make their voices heard.”
The “I Will Vote” ads will appear on flyers, posters, and campus buses and bus shelters through Georgia’s early voting period, which began Oct. 15 and runs through Nov. 1. As of Wednesday afternoon more than 2 million Georgia voters had cast a ballot, a turnout rate so far of nearly 29% with 13 days until Election Day.
The initiative comes days after the DNC launched its “I Will Vote” Snapchat campaign during the final leg of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, continuing Democrats’ strategy to meet young voters where they are and provide them with the resources they need to participate in upcoming elections.
The ads inform students that “freedom is on the ballot” this election and that “Democrats have your back,” from protecting reproductive rights to American democracy, the DNC said.
Democrats are hopeful that young voters will turn out in significant numbers for Harris in North Carolina, where she is running neck-and-neck with former President Donald Trump, who carried the state in 2020 and 2016.
The DNC’s “I Will Vote” campaign directs voters to the DNC’s most complete, accurate, and up-to-date national coverage of polling places and voter education information all in one place. This latest campaign follows recently announced “I Will Vote” ad buys from the DNC directed to Native American, LGBTQ+ and Latino voters.
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Southeast Politics Correspondent Dan Parsons contributed to this report.
