Benson Rallies Young Voters in Michigan
The gubernatorial candidate held a youth-led phone bank at the University of Michigan to boost turnout for the November election.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson is actively engaging young voters to increase participation in the upcoming November midterm election. Benson participated in a student-led phone bank at the University of Michigan to reach voters between the ages of 18 and 24.
Why it matters
The campaign is focused on mobilizing younger demographics after historically low engagement during previous cycles. Benson also noted that she plans to prioritize restructuring state government during her first 100 days if elected.
A recent poll shows Jocelyn Benson leading Republican opponent John James by 5 points. Meanwhile, data from 2022 shows that 59.2% of active registered voters ages 18 to 29 did not cast a ballot.
The players
Jocelyn Benson
She is the Democratic nominee for governor of Michigan.
John James
He is the Republican nominee for governor of Michigan.
The details
Students at the university placed calls to peers across Michigan to encourage participation in the November midterm election. Simultaneously, Republican nominee John James continued his own campaign trail with scheduled stops in Suttons Bay, Traverse City, and Ludington.
Timeline
59.2% of voters ages 18-29 did not vote during the 2022 election.
The upcoming midterm election takes place in November 2026.
Political Context
Opposing campaigns often argue that focus on demographic-specific turnout ignores broader economic concerns affecting all Michigan residents. Republican representatives frequently challenge the efficacy of these outreach efforts, favoring direct policy debates over mobilization strategies.
Voters can expect increased candidate visibility and campaign outreach across the state as the November midterm approaches. These efforts specifically target younger citizens who may see changes to voter registration or local election procedures if restructuring plans are enacted.
The takeaway
Engaging younger voters remains a central strategy for candidates seeking to flip or maintain key seats in midterm elections. Highlighting past turnout disparities serves as a primary tool for campaigns to create urgency among unregistered or inactive voters.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to increase voter participation in the Civic Engagement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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