[bell-cot]

If the young reliably voted, for their own interests...then both parties have these things called "primaries", where their general election candidates are picked. Sometimes from a wide field of contenders, and usually with very low barriers to entry (either to vote, or to be a candidate).

My understanding is that career politicians' take on the youth vote is: "If the stars happen to align, and you play it right, the youth vote can win you an election. But usually not - so you should mostly let your opponent waste his time chasing the youth vote."

[Izkata]

Primaries have a weird system based on delegates, not direct votes. It's really difficult to know who you're actually voting for, I couldn't find any information on which candidate the delegates on my ballot were actually for.

[bell-cot]

At least in Michigan, the primary ballots pretty much list the actual candidates.

A few times, when things looked murkier, I've just contacted the local (city or county) party organization, and quickly gotten answers.

If that didn't work, I'd probably try contacting the League of Women Voters, County Clerk's office, or similar [non-]governmental groups that work at keeping track of such things. And some web searches, looking for primary candidates with on-line campaign info.