On Tuesday, Creation Coffee & Co., a beloved Yuma coffee shop, partnered with a local credit union to provide free coffee for all. As dozens made line, the KAWC Newsroom joined to talk about the top concerns for Yuma’s young voters.
Vivian Gurrolla, a young voter in Yuma, said economic stability is the primary concern for many of her peers.
"I guess everybody's concern is economics, like money, especially right now with gas," Gurrolla said while waiting in line.
Gurrolla pointed to soaring costs for basic necessities like groceries, noting that a modest shopping trip for essentials now exceeds $50. She also expressed apprehension regarding the possibility of AI data centers being established in Arizona, fearing the impact that industrial demand could have on residential water costs.
For Fabian Santos, who lives in Yuma with his wife, water sustainability is a critical, long-term issue.
"You know, we got to keep this water flowing out here," Santos said. "There's a prognostic that in the next 10 years, the water is going to be more scarce or limited."
Santos added that an influx of out-of-state residents is raising concerns about the future affordability of local real estate.
The election comes during a period of economic pressure in the region. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in Yuma was 19% in August.
Jose De La Torre, a restaurant worker, said he has witnessed the economic difficulties firsthand.
"Unemployment recently has been really bad," De La Torre said. "It's been difficult to get jobs if you don't know someone."
Despite these concerns, voter engagement among young people has historically been low in the region. According to data from the Yuma County Records Office, out of 37,017 young registered voters in the 2022 midterm election, only 1,333 between the ages of 18-29 cast ballots.
While turnout has lagged, the youth vote is becoming increasingly critical, particularly within the Latino community. A Pew Research Center analysis estimates that more than 4 million U.S.-born Latinos turned 18 between 2022 and 2026.
For local voters like Monique Hernandez, the high cost of living makes the upcoming election deeply personal.
"I think especially for my generation, it would be just like buying a house and paying for school," Hernandez said. "I feel like it's way more expensive than other generations."
Others, like college student Aileen Torres, say the lack of local economic opportunity has pushed them to consider leaving the area entirely.
"Honestly, getting a job right now, and as well, gas prices — they just keep on getting higher and higher," Torres said.
The financial strain is compounded for many by the high cost of essential services, including childcare and medical care. Eleni Mesa, who works in healthcare, said the gaps in resources are widening for the community.
"If you don't have family members in your area, one parent has to make the sacrifice to stay home with the children," Mesa said. "It's like living paycheck to paycheck."
As Election Day nears, these economic and social challenges remain the focal point for Yuma's young residents.
The deadline to register to vote is:
Mail: postmarked 29 days before the election.
In person: close of business 29 days before Election Day.
Online: by 11:59pm 29 days before the election.
Arizona does not offer same-day voter registration, so be sure to submit your voter registration before the deadline.
