History made from votes
According to the Center for Information and Research on Civil Learning and Engagement, 23 million young adults came out to show their support in this year’s election. This figure is a drastic increase by approximately 3.4 million young people since the 2004 election. Overall, the youth turnout (people who were eligible to vote that actually cast a vote) rose to approximately 52 percent. This means that over half the young people in this country showed up to the polls to vote this year.
That makes this year’s election the second highest young voter turnout ever, second only to the election in 1972. That election was the first year 18 year olds could vote, and 55.2 percent of young voters cast their ballots.
People in the 18-29 year old age category represented a total of eighteen percent of all the voters in the entire election according to the national exit polls. Many people say that this age group had a huge impact on the candidate that was chosen.
Sixty-six percent of young voters choose Obama favoring him to McCain by a 2-1 ratio. Rock the Vote, an organization designed to get young people out and voting, said Obama ran a campaign that reached out more to the young people by telling politicians to listen to the young generation and coming to more of their campuses and communities.
Here in Milledgeville, many students took the initiative to get out and take part of this epic election. Julianna Stradley was excitedto take part in voting for the first time.
“I feel like it is our duty to vote since we are part of this country,” she said. “This election was a monumental one, and I was really glad I got to be a part of the big decision.”
Another student, Nathan Vanderplough, also wanted to make his voice heard in this significant election.
“I think that even though my one vote isn’t going to sway an election, it’s my job to make my voice heard in some sort of way, and voting is the way to do that,” he said. “I think a lot of people were very surprised at the way this election turned out, and I think that is because so many less traditional people showed up at the polls. I think from now on people are going to realize they really can make a difference, and voting is always going to look a little different.”
Vanderplough took the time to show up to the polls last Tuesday and said he’s glad that he did.
“We’re going to see a lot of change,” he said. “This election definitely made history books.”
Last Tuesday, young people across America realized the power their generation has on this country, and took a major part in helping choose the next president of the United States of America.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Nov 14 2008. Filed under News.
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