Bednar on Biden dropping out of presidential race, road ahead

July 22, 2024

University of Michigan experts are available to discuss President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris—and the ramifications on the political landscape.

Jenna Bednar, faculty director of UMICH Votes and Democratic Engagement and professor of public policy and political science, comments on the youth vote in 2024. 

"U.S. youth are voting at the highest rate since getting the nationwide right to vote in 1971, but their lack of enthusiasm for both Trump and Biden caused forecasters to predict low youth turnout," she said. "They seem less perturbed by Biden dropping out than older voters, but is the presumptive Democratic nomination of VP Harris enough of a switch from Biden to catch their attention?"