Youth Voters Gaining Their Satisfaction

Today’s young American voters have come a long way from Mick Jagger’s “I can’t get no satisfaction,” and are getting the satisfaction they deserve by realizing that their votes matter.
“Given the power of the internet, and [the fact that] young people understand it better than any other generation, there's nothing stopping young people [from] being as powerful as they want to be,” said Emily Freifeld, a Washingtonpost.com political reporter.
The younger generations of America have taken off and have begun to rally support from within their own age bracket. Young Americans are aware of how powerful their vote is, and have taken on the challenge of making sure they take full advantage of that power granted to them in the Twenty-Sixth Amendment passed in 1971.
According to CIRCLE (Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement), a non-partisian group that follows trends in youth voting, young voter turnouts for the 2008 primaries (voters between the ages of 18-29) have been much higher compared to past elections. In fact, some states such as Florida, Georgia and Iowa have even had triple the amount of young voters. Tennessee had the largest increase between the 2000 and 2008 primaries, quadrupling from four percent to 15 percent respectively.
With the sudden increase in young voter interest, it’s no surprise that political candidates are playing up to the needs of young voters. Youtube.com videos featuring celebrities, Myspace pages with easy access to candidate information, and platforms that echo the cries of young supporters are all ways candidates are appealing to the younger generation.
“I think [the use of internet technology in the election] can be a good thing because the youth need to feel included,” said Michelle Mahar, a senior at The American Univerisity. “They are often times forgotten and it causes resentment.”
Recently, however, youth voters are making sure they are not forgotten. Take for example 21-year-old Jason Rae, the youngest Superdelegate in the nation currently studying at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. Rae is making sure he proves to people that are his age, that young voters can make a difference.
Rae was elected into the Democratic National Committee in 2004 based on a platform he explained as “trying to represent America’s next generation of voters.” After previously attending the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston as a special guest of the Wisconsin delegation, Rae said that he is excited to be attending this year’s meeting as a Superdelegate.
“The one thing I like to tell people is that their vote does matter,” said Rae. “People often say my vote is not going to matter, it’s not going to decide anything. Well, in all actuality when you vote, the candidates you vote for usually win.”
Rae has been seen on youth-voter-friendly circuits from the Daily Show to Anderson Cooper’s 360, all of which focused on how Rae was so young, yet was still able to accomplish so much in the political field.
Rae said he had no idea he was actually going to win the election, but his winning has proved that young people can become more involved in elections.
“[When I was running for the DNC] I was really just trying to get the message out there that young people should be involved more in big party decisions,” said Rae.
Rae’s platform seems to have transcribed onto the smaller level as well. College students all across the nation are taking part in the election.
Walk onto any college campus and you will find a politically active group. There are 30 registered Young Democrats of America action groups listed within five miles of the 20016 Washington, D.C., zip code alone, according to the YDA website.
“Universities are reporting that their students voted in state primaries in record numbers to make other students realize young voters are making a difference,” said Tara Frick, an intern for the DNC. “The Democratic Party was relying on the Penn State bloc to vote during the Pennsylvania Primary, and they did, in huge numbers.”
Frick explained that interest in the election among younger voters has spurred up in the recent 2008 election because young supporters are realizing they have a lot of pull when it comes to elections. Frick also explained how the Internet is an aid when it comes to getting the word out to young voters about candidates.
“I think the Facebook pages have allowed the candidates and [their] issues to be reachable to young people who are on Facebook every day,” said Frick. “Even if you’re not looking at the political pages, you see them on other peoples' pages and awareness spreads.”
James Kotecki, the host of PlaybookTV on Politico.com, said that “it’s hard to determine whether the Internet influenced [the] youth or the other way around.” Kotecki was sure to add that people often contact him and let him know that they get their political news from him.
However, no one can be sure where this new found interest spurred up from. Will Haun, President of the American University College Republicans, believes it has something to do with the fact that several issues that the candidates of this election are concerned with effect many young voters.
“All of the issues facing the country today--the war on terror, social security, tax reform, health care, the supreme court--are all issues that are going to require long-term solutions that will shape the world I get a job in, have a family in, and become a leader in,” said Haun. “There is no single voter demographic that will be more affected by the issues of this election than my own, and so just for the sake of our own self-interest, it is crucial that we get out and vote.”
While Haun believes young voters are out driving people within their generation to vote because of platforms that they are concerned with, Freifeld believes it is Barack Obama that seems to be stirring young voters up.
“Youth voters are much more active during this presidential cycle largely because of Barack Obama,” said Freifeld. “Obama [is] so appealing [because of] his message of bi-partisanship and working-together attitude. This generation grew up in a very polarized political climate. Obama's reconciliatory message is refreshing.”
Even though there has been an explosion of youth voters realizing the power and potential their vote garners, it still remains to be seen if young voters will actually show up to the polls in November.

“Sure, I can wave a sign on the weekends and knock on some doors,” said Haun continuing with, “do you honestly think I can skip class, wait in a long line to vote for someone that I have been hearing so much negative garbage about for the past 10 months that I just don’t care enough anymore?”

Haun believes with regret that although young voters are aware of the potential change they can make in the nation, it all boils down to the fact that the youth will only get to the polls if its made simpler.
“Until voting becomes an online phenomenon, or the issues facing America’s 18-24 year olds are right up in their faces as opposed to long-term problems, you won’t ever see an across the board explosion of youth turnout at the ballot box,” said Haun.

College Student Is Also Superdelegate

Interview with James Kotecki and Emily Freifeld

QUESTIONS: please respond with as much detail as possible.
>
> As a part of the media, do you see young voters participating more in this
> election. Do you also see the presidentially nominees reaching out more to
> youth voters for support?
>
> Do you feel nominees have changed their approach this election in terms of
> gaining support from young voters? If so, what things are nominees, in your
> opinion, doing to gain support from young voters?
>
> A lot of Grassroot organizations have popped up in an effort to influence
> young voters for this election. What do you think makes this election
> different from past elections? Why, all of a sudden, do the young voters
> matter for these nominees?
>
> James--as a the first student to host an interview with a Presidential
> candidate in your dorm room, how do you suggest young voters get more
> invovled in the election?
> Do you and Emily think alternative forms of media have had an influence on
> young voters?
> With that said, how do you both think citizen journalism is affecting the
> youth vote--do you think blogs, youtube videos, etc. have aidded in gaining
> young voters' attention and have inturn made them more invovled in this
> years election?


ANSWERS


1. Youth voters are are much more active during this presidential
cycle largely because of Barack Obama. Other important factors are the
internet and social networking sites, which make it very easy for
people to connect with others who are like-minded when it comes to
specific issues or candidates. However, it's hard to determine whether
the internet makes people more attune to issues, or if it's the youth
who are bringing the internet to the forefront of politics. The
candidates, their campaigns and surrogates have recognized this and
attempting to tap into this huge resource.

2. The very fact that campaigns are even using these social networking
sites, youtube, etc is a change in itself. The other thing that makes
Obama so appealing is his message of bi-partisanship and
working-together attitude. This generation grew up in a very polarized
political climate. 0bama's reconciliatory (is that a word?) Message is
refreshinh.

3. The networks and organizations and structure, we believe, has
always been there. This year, for the reasons listed above, youth are
just more energized by the campaigns.

4. Given the power of the internet and young people understand it
better than any other generation, there's nothing stopping young
people being as powerful as they want to be. If you have something you
want to say, write a blog, make a video - those things do get noticed.

5. What was alternative is now becoming mainstream. Again, it's hard
to determine whether the internet influenced youth or the other way
arouns -- kind of like which came first, the chicken or the egg? All I
(james) can say personally is that there are some young people who
have contacted me saying they get their political news from me. And
that's great! It's not my intention, but it's great to get people
involved.

Possible lead

With the 2008 Presidential race fully on its way presidential nominees are turning to a source often overlooked for numbers in the polls, the youth population.

Interviews...

Well, my topic has changed slightly since I last posted. I am now focusing on the youth vote in the 2008 presidential election, rather than super delegates.
Jason Rae was actually the inspiration for this topic--I have had techinically difficulties posting the interview with Rae on the blog...when I do figure it out however, it will be on here!
Meanwhile, check out an interview I conducted with Will Haun, the President of the American University College Republicans.
Haun had a lot to say about the youth vote, see transcript below:

ANNA: As a student, and the President of the College Republicans, how important do you feel is the youth vote in the upcoming 2008 presidential election?

HAUN: As a youth voter, I can’t emphasize the importance of our involvement enough. All of the issues facing the country today-the war on terror, social security, tax reform, health care, the supreme court-are all issues that are going to require long-term solutions that will shape the world I get a job in, have a family in, and become a leader in. There is no single voter demographic that will be more affected by the issues of this election than my own. And so, just for the sake of our own self-interest, it is crucial that we get out and vote. As a political activist, I would not, and would not encourage any candidate, to rely on the “youth vote” to put me past the post. For as much hype as this issue garners, it has never translated into young people showing up at the ballot box. Politically active students like those at AU will show up, but we don’t decide the elections. Put yourself in the shoes of the average 20 year old. I am in college, and I share a car with my family. I also am working to put myself through school. Sure, I can wave a sign on the weekends and knock on some doors, but do you honestly think I can skip class/take off work, borrow the car from mom and dad, use gas money/beer money to drive to the voting booth, wait in a long line to vote for someone that I have been hearing so much negative garbage about for the past 10 months that I just don’t care enough anymore. Honestly, until voting becomes an online phenomenon, or the issues facing America’s 18-24 year olds are right up in their faces as opposed to long-term problems, you won’t ever see an across the board explosion of youth turnout at the ballot box.

ANNA: In 2000, when the public truly realized that their "vote didn't count" and only the electoral college makes the decision, many young voters were turned off to the voting process on the basis that "if my vote doesn't count, why vote at all..." Do you think this will effect the upcoming election at all? and that people will have the "my vote doesn't count" mentallity and not bother?

HAUN: I’m sure the “my vote doesn’t count” mentality may play a role with some people, but as I alluded to in my first answer, I really think it is a question of convenience. We live in a culture of now, for better or worse, and for a lot of younger people, voting is just seen as having too many complications. While that is a problem on many levels, it also demonstrates a level of seriousness people have towards voting generally. They know its not just something they should throw away, and may just figure “well, if I don’t know enough about the issues, why waste time in making a decision?” We may not like that point of view, and we should work to change the cultural attitude, but its not an illogical or irrational position.

ANNA: How do you suggest we get young voters more involved in the election?

HAUN: I think we have to explain the stakes. Politicians on both sides of the aisle as of late have tried to do as much as possible without inconvincing anyone. There is no greater proof of that than the War on Terror. In War’s past, Americans were encouraged to take part in the sacrifice on a daily basis and in the way we lived our lives. Compare that to today. How quickly were we told to just “go about our business” and act like nothing happened? Honestly, you could argue that if you did not know someone who was serving in the military and if you did not watch the news, you could go the whole day without ever thinking about the fact that our nation is at a war over our civilization, values, and our lives. This is the case on issues like social security and other entitlements as well. People need to be motivated to act if you want them to get involved, and thus far, politicians have tried to down-play problems to prevent that from happening.

ANNA: Statistics show that very few people under the age of 21 vote. In your opinion should the voting age be raised again to the age of 21? Or should it remain at 18. Why?

HAUN: I really don’t know if it would do anything if we returned it to 21. If no one under 21 is voting now, wouldn’t raising the age back to 21 just officiate the results we have seen since its been turned to 18? Personally, I believe in the classic “if you are old enough to die for your country, you are old enough to decide what your country calls you to die for” argument.

ANNA: Do you think this election differs from previous Presidential elections in terms of the youth vote?

HAUN: It does in the sense that every major issue affects our age demographic more than any other. That and as many young voters tend to be Democrats, the enthusiasm on their side is higher due to being out of the White House for so long.

ANNA: What role do you think the College Republicans will have both on this campus and nationally in the election?

HAUN:I am confident next years CR’s will engage in voter registration drives, campaign trips, offer volunteer opportunities, and bring the campaigns to campus through candidate visits. I am excited to see what the new leadership does with the club. We have a campaign hour record that is quite impressive, and I’d like to see the bar raised in 2008.

ANNA: How, as President, are you working with the group to gain support for John McCain, the Republican frontrunner?

HAUN: We are really in a stand-still at the moment. Technically, John McCain is not yet the nominee of the party, and with the Democratic race still undecided, there is not much of a fray for us to jump into. The best we can do right now is to articulate our principles and values in a way that will encourage undecided voters to give Senator McCain and other Republicans their vote in the fall.

ANNA: Barack Obama came to campus earlier this semester, although that speech was not associated with the College Democrats it rallied a lot of democratic support on this campus. Are there any plans to invite John McCain, or another prominate Republican to campus to speak on the Presidential Nominee?

HAUN: We have extended a few invitations to Senator McCain during the primaries, and while he is interested in coming, his own primary/fundraising schedule has made a date difficult to accomplish. I will be passing along the contacts I have been working with to next years CR leadership with the hopes that they will be able to bring Senator McCain to campus. I am confident we will continue the great speaker series we have begun this year, brining numerous GOP candidates and surrogates. From what I hear Virginia Senate candidate Jim Gilmore is already on the list for fall speakers.

With age comes...a chance to be a Super d???

Who would have thought, the young generation actually DOES matter in elections!
Few may believe the 18-25-year-old generation matters when it comes to politics...talk politics with any Great Aunt Mary and you'll get a response along the lines of "you're young, what do you know?!"
...Well Aunt Mary, turns out the youth of America does know a thing or two about good ol' politics!
Take Jason Rae for example. Rae is a young 22-years-old---you're typical college student. Rae worries about midterms, girls, and his decisions for the DNC in August...?
That's right, DNC--the Democratic National Committee. Rae is historically the youngest Super Delegate on record, and he is proving to the world that age does not matter when it comes to politics.
Rae has been spotlighted on various shows from CNN's Anderson Coopers' 360 to John Stewart's daily late night program.
I luckily got a chance to interview Rae via telephone earlier this month (Rae is a Super D from Wisconsin and attends Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI., so unfortunately he couldn't make a trip down to DC just for me...)
Rae discussed some of his experiences as a Super D, why he wants to be a Super Delegate, and how he wants more emphasis to be put on the younger generation when it comes to voting.
You can listen to my interview with Super Delegate Jason Rae Here
Stay tuned for an interview I will be conducting with Joseph Mondello, head of the GOP in New York to hear the republican point of view on the Super Delegate situation...

how to vote...?

Well, looks like Super D's are in a perdicament...should they vote for who THEY want to be the candidate...or should they go with the majority primary vote of their district, and vote accordingly...
Technically, Super delegates are supposed to go with the majority vote, and put their support behind the candidate their district supports, however, this election seems to be going differently for some delegates...
Take New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson for example. Richardson put his support behind Obama--yet the New Mexico primary went in favor of Clinton.
So, what should super delegates be doing? Theres no law that says their support has to reflect that of the peoples...but technically, if its not, whats the point of primaries, or democracy even?
Take a look at this video from CNN for a closer look.