How campus protests could impact young voter turnout in Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Young voters in Wisconsin are a crucial voting block for both parties, and with protest activity on college campuses against the war in Gaza ramping up, some fear it could hurt Democrats this fall.
It comes as protests happening at Wisconsin universities and across the U.S. are becoming the new political flashpoint ahead of the 2024 presidential election, but how significant the impact will be remains unclear.
Anthony Chergosky, associate professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, predicts there could be some political consequences, especially on young voters who played a big role in helping elect President Joe Biden in 2020 and liberal state Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz last year.
"I always refer to young voters as a wild card," Chergosky said. "If they show up in large numbers, that can greatly influence the result of any election. If they fail to show up, then that can also greatly influence the outcome of an election."
With many student demonstrators frustrated with Biden's handling of the war in Gaza, some Democrats worry low turnout on college campuses could help former President Donald Trump.
One warning sign was during the April election when more than 47,000 voters picked the "uninstructed" option on the Democratic presidential primary ballot in protest of Biden.
"The uninstructed vote, plus the campus protest, are some ominous signs for the Biden campaign," said Chergosky. "On the other hand, it's not like Donald Trump is in the clear either."
Election results in April also showed some vulnerabilities for the Trump campaign with more than 124,000 voters deciding to vote for someone other than former President Donald Trump.
There's no doubt both sides will be competing heavily for college-aged voters, but whether momentum from campus protests will carry to the ballot box and if Republicans can capitalize on it remains to be seen, Chergosky said.
Republicans have been trying to make inroads on college campuses, with Democrats seeing in some instances 90% support on University of Wisconsin-Madison wards.
Biden, Trump weigh in on protests
President Biden and former President Trump have both been critical of the protests, but their approach and tone on the issue is different.
Trump recently called on university leaders to end the encampments during his visitto Waukesha last week.
"When you see that video of raging lunatics and Hamas sympathizers at Columbia and other colleges….[and] when you look at it, I say, where did these people come from?" Trump said during his rally in the Milwaukee suburb Wednesday.
Biden broke his silence on the demonstrations Thursday by trying to balance a law-and-order message while also defending the right to free speech.
"The first, the right to free speech and the ability to peacefully assemble and make their voices heard," Biden said. "The second is the rule of law. Both must be upheld."
In a state that often decides elections by narrow margins, there's not much room for error. However, both parties acknowledge there are other issues their campaigns are counting on to help mobilize voters on campus, including the economy and abortion.