11 FACTS ABOUT VOTING!
1. The Millennial generation
already makes up 1/5 of the electorate. By 2015, they will account for 1/3.
2. Compared to 2000, young voters
have more than doubled their turnout in the 2008 primaries and caucuses. For
example, in Texas, the number of 18-29 year old voters grew 301%.
3. In both the 2006 and the 2008
primaries, young voters made the difference in several tight races. Senator
Obama owes his caucus win in Iowa to 18-29 year olds, and a winning margin
among the youth vote helped Senator McCain win in California.
4. The current presidential
election is the first in decades where candidates are actively and
aggressively courting the youth vote. In the primaries, four candidates from
both parties had full-time, national youth outreach directors.
5. Young Latinos are the largest,
and fastest-growing ethnic subset of young adults; 50,000 young Latinos turn
18 each month, and Latinos make up 17% of the youth electorate.
6. In comparison to other people
of color, young African-Americans voters are more likely to vote regularly,
donate money to candidates, and display a campaign button or sign.
7. Since 2004, young women have
led the turnout increase witnessed among young adults overall. In both 2004
and 2006, young women voted at rates seven and three points higher than
young men.
8. The majority of young voters
identify themselves as Democrat (47%), with 55% of young women classified as
Democrats, compared to 38% of men.
9. Overall, 28% of young voters
identify as Republicans, with 30% of young men categorizing themselves as
Republican, compared to 26% of young women.
10. Republican identification is
also highest among Caucasian youth, with 35% identifying as Republican.
11. Research shows that young
voters with college experience are much more likely to vote than their
non-college counterparts. Although ½ of young Americans ages 18-29 have
never enrolled in college, 79% of the young voters on Super Tuesday attended
college.
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