‘Raucous Caucus’ aims to boost millennial turnout in Kansas City’s June 23 election

The turnout of young people in recent Kansas City municipal elections has been pathetic — more people over age 90 voted than those under 30 in a 2014 city election.

Some groups that work with young adults are trying to change that dynamic. They will host what’s being dubbed a “Raucous Caucus” from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, at Barney Allis Plaza downtown for candidates to mingle with young voters. The event is aimed at improving turnout in the City Council general election June 23.

That could be a challenge. Turnout in the April 7 primary was only 12 percent among registered voters south of the Missouri River, and in recent elections it has been even less among millennials.

“Young voters simply aren’t showing up to the polling places for municipal elections,” said Rachel DeSchepper, content marketing manager for mySidewalk, a Kansas City civic tech startup company that did the voter analysis. “There’s a belief that individual votes don’t count, but that’s simply not true. ...With traditionally low turnout, voters in their 20s and 30s have the ability to send a strong message.”

DeSchepper pointed out that many issues to be decided by the next Kansas City Council will have a profound impact on young people living in the city. The next mayor and council will decide how to proceed with improvements on major long-term projects such as Kansas City International Airport, Kemper Arena, possible streetcar extensions and East Side development.

The “Raucous Caucus” is sponsored by mySidewalk, The Pitch news-weekly and LiveKC, a privately funded organization that seeks to make Kansas City a more attractive place for millennials. The event is designed to give young voters a chance to meet and speak with council candidates, civic leaders and friends.

This story was originally published June 7, 2015 at 6:27 PM with the headline "‘Raucous Caucus’ aims to boost millennial turnout in Kansas City’s June 23 election."