News Assistant
Youth voter turnout for this year?s election dramatically increased, particularly in Virginia, where the voter turnout was higher than it?s ever been. According to Virginia21, the number of youth voters increased by 12 percent since 2000, with 550,000 voters between the ages of 18 and 29 going out to the polls.
David Solimini, communications director for Virginia21, said there has been a steady increase of youth voter turnout over time.
?If you look at the last couple of years, there?s been an increasing trend in youth voter turnout,? he said. ?Young voters are starting to see the connection between what happens in their communities and what happens at the polls.?
The youth vote in Virginia also matched the percentage of the senior citizen vote, a group that is generally considered to have one of the best voter turnouts. Voters age 18-29 made up 17 percent of the electorate, while voters over the age of 65 comprised 18 percent. According to Virginia21, these numbers are significantly higher than the percentage of the electorate that the youth vote had in nearby states.
Brandon Bull, a senior economics major and Western Virginia regional coordinator for Virginia21, said the small difference in percentages would force politicians to give as much attention to youth voter issues as they give to issues that affect senior citizens.
?Historically, elected officials sympathize with seniors because of their high turnout,? he said. ?Now, there will be more attention paid to issues affecting young people.?
Virginia21 helped 36 percent of undergraduate students participate in its voter drive and Virginia Tech had a turnout of 5,444 students, a five-fold increase from last year, Bull said.
?As far as numbers, Tech had the largest voter turnout (compared to other Virginia Universities),? he said.
Though most were pleased with the increased voter turnout, some are asking that young voters do more. Steve Cochran, chair of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee, said it will take a significant step on the part of youth voters to make a real difference in politics.
?This election did turn out more young voters than we?ve seen in quite some time, and I hope those numbers continue to grow,? he said. ?But I think it will take a demonstration of that age group to not only come out on Election Day but to voice their concerns to their legislators ? and make a real difference within the political structure.?
Both the MCDC and the Montgomery County Republican Party worked on increasing voter turnout in general, with the help of the Young Democrats and College Republicans to push for the youth vote. Christopher Tuck, chairperson of the MCRP, said the College Republicans played a significant role in increasing voter turnout, including helping with the phone bank to call voters and answer questions they had about the republican candidates.
?The College Republicans helped out, and some brought their own cell phones (to make calls) just so that they could get the vote out,? he said.
Tuck said the increased turnout was encouraging, and it was gratifying to see so many people involved in democracy.
?It was exciting to see the great turnout, not just as chairman but as a citizen of the United States,? he said. ?We have this great system about being able to control our own destiny in this country and I think it?s a shame that some people don?t think their vote counts.?
Though turnout was higher this year than its ever been in the state of Virginia, organizations such as the MCDC, MCRP, and Virginia21 are hoping for the rates to increase for years to come.
?The issues young voters care about will be front and center for this election, the 2005 election and years to come,? Solimini said. ?We were hopeful that turnout would be this good and we?re hopeful that it will be even higher in the future.?