Could young voters swing November's election? One thing is certain: Plenty of people would like to think so.
The headline reads: "Web sites, stars fight to reach disengaged voter."
"To a large extent, both parties are afraid of that resource [18-to-25 set] because they don't know how they'll vote once you get them to the polls."
About 24 million Americans are aged 18 to 24, according to the nonpartisan New Voters Project.
But for the past three decades, ever since the voting age fell from 21 to 18, turnout among this group has been low. In the last presidential election, it dipped to 42 percent of those eligible (or 37 percent of all those in the age bracket).
Young people themselves give varying explanations for the lackluster participation. Some blame widespread cynicism and disillusionment; others cite the transience of early adulthood or the uninspiring nature of the candidates.
[Y]oung people are turned off by politics today.
"And yet I really sense that ... if somebody is smart enough to be able to find a way to appeal to that group of voters, it could become a very important force in an election."
[The article has a list of "reachout" to youth websites listed.]
8-23--04 Knight Ridders Newspapers.
"To a large extent, both parties are afraid of that resource [18-to-25 set] because they don't know how they'll vote once you get them to the polls."
About 24 million Americans are aged 18 to 24, according to the nonpartisan New Voters Project.
But for the past three decades, ever since the voting age fell from 21 to 18, turnout among this group has been low. In the last presidential election, it dipped to 42 percent of those eligible (or 37 percent of all those in the age bracket).
Young people themselves give varying explanations for the lackluster participation. Some blame widespread cynicism and disillusionment; others cite the transience of early adulthood or the uninspiring nature of the candidates.
[Y]oung people are turned off by politics today.
"And yet I really sense that ... if somebody is smart enough to be able to find a way to appeal to that group of voters, it could become a very important force in an election."
[The article has a list of "reachout" to youth websites listed.]
8-23--04 Knight Ridders Newspapers.
posted by Sid Cottingham | 6:30 AM
2 Comments:
Not that I'm the poster-child for all 18-25 year olds, but from my experience they're socially liberal. They've yet to obtain real jobs, at least the younger portion of that group, so I'm not sure they have any deep seated hatred about taxes yet. But of course, there are usually exceptions to everything I say.
Jen, you might be "the" poster child, but without question you are our poster child.
I agree with you -- and in truth I would think who doesn't generally speaking -- about the socially liberal. This is really why I posted the article. It tenor does not seem to match expectations.
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