Experts anticipate that first-time voters could play a key role in the presidential election this year.
The University's Center for Politics hosted a panel of leading experts on youth civic engagement yesterday evening in Old Cabell Hall to discuss the impact of the youth vote in the 2004 presidential election.
Center for Politics Director Larry J. Sabato opened the panel discussion by noting the 20 to 30 percent gap between young voters and voters over the age of 25.
"This is a real problem," Sabato said.
Panelists included Rock the Vote President Jemhu Greene, Cendy Gonzalez, College National Republican Committee member, Peter Levine, deputy director of the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, and Newsweek's "Generation Next" pollster Janice Bell. The panel assessed elements of the youth vote such as demographics, the effectiveness of outreach efforts and issues important to young voters.
Several panelists concurred that the young vote would play an especially significant role in this year's election.
"For many people my age, this is the first election cycle they can vote in since 9/11," Gonzalez said. "Sept. 11th has completely changed the political environment."
In addition, memories of the close 2000 presidential election will motivate youth to vote, Greene said.
"The 2000 election has had an impact on where young voters see their vote making a difference," Greene said. "This election could be even closer."
The renewed recognition of the importance of the youth vote has prompted unprecedented outreach efforts and resources to be put towards encouraging Americans in the 18 to 24 demographic to vote, including $40 million in non-profit, non-partisan voter mobilization.
In addition, the importance of young voters has shifted the focus of some campaign efforts.
The rising cost of college tuition, the fear of a draft and the fact that young Americans are the most uninsured group of citizens are issues that candidates must address, Greene said.
"Young people don't care about the swift boat incident," Greene said, referring to recent, controversial campaign ads which attack Sen. John F. Kerry's service in the Vietnam War. "They want the answers on their issues."
Last night's event also offered an opportunity for voter registration and the chance for attendees to obtain absentee ballots.
"We are encouraging students to register to vote on their campuses where they are going to be for four years and to ask for polling places on their campuses," Greene said. "We are also helping to fight back against local election officials who try to take that right away."
Absentee ballots offer students an alternative to registering on their campuses or making inconvenient trips to their home polling venues on Election Day, Gonzalez said, noting that lack of transportation or living far away from an assigned voting place discourages young people from voting.
Last night's panel was a part of the Center's ongoing National Symposium on Youth Civic Engagement, an effort focused on increasing youth participation, interest and education in politics, said Joshua Scott, director of programs for the Center.
"It's not just about turnout, but voter education as well," Scott said. "The two go hand and hand. It doesn't do any good to increase turnout without educating voters."
The Center's ongoing series is attempting to look at the youth vote in a more optimistic light, Scott said.
"What you usually hear about the youth vote is largely negative," Scott said, citing emphasis on young people's failure to show up at polls. "We are focusing on the positive of those who do vote and how they impact the election."
Political activity on Grounds provides evidence of a high level of youth political participation at the University, Scott said.
"Political organizations at the University are very active," Scott said. "Anecdotally you can tell there is a great amount of interest on Grounds."
Read More
Virginia General Assembly demands answers about Ryan's resignation in Aug. 1 letter
By Brendon Bordwine | 49 minutes agoIn a 10-page letter obtained by The Cavalier Daily, State Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, demanded written responses and documentation from University Rector Rachel Sheridan and University Vice Rector Porter Wilkinson regarding the lead up to and fallout from former University President Jim Ryan's resignation.
Weighing their place in U.Va. presidential search, students hope for leader with integrity
By Mia Tan | 2 days agoWith the search for the University’s 10th president underway, students are voicing cautious hopes for a leader who will prioritize transparency, integrity and the needs of the University community
Honor Committee discusses potential changes to its sanctioning process
By Bertie Azqueta | 3 days agoAny changes to the role of counsel could significantly affect how sanctioning is pursued by the reporter and the University community against those who committed Honor offenses.
