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I couldn't wait to cast my very first vote, oh how excited I was to vote, to have a voice in the system! I can't understand how any young person cannot be interested in giving their voice to their own country. Is it lazyness or what? If it is they shouldn't have anything to say when things don't go their way in their own country. If they want a change, as Malcolm X said, "It's the bullet or the ballot".

I think many of the younger generation were disillusioned by the elections of 2000 and 2004 when they saw such things as Supreme Court act for all purposes and intents as a kingmaker, as well as the action of the Swift Boat Liars for Bush.

Or to quote John Mayer "it's not that we don't care; we just know that the fight ain't fair".
Posted By Samuel, Lincoln, Nebraska : November 19, 2007 4:58 p

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I totally agree with you. I think this country was mered by that election and given that young people like shows, they watched a free one and could not comprehend why should adults do that. They just find it insincere and think their votes don't count since there is going to be rigging after no matter what you do.
I am 21 years old. If I can buy liqour and cigarettes the why not vote this time and try out a new person hoping no rigging that will happen this time around

For sure it helps. Obama just promise free community education to young voters.

David from Gilbert, Arizona:

I understand where you're coming from when you speak of people in your age demographic having a lot on your mind as well, however it is truly difficult for my peers and I (even though I do always vote) to see how voting affects us.

The process of obtaining an absentee ballot could be better. When I was a freshmen in college, I had no idea where to go in order to get an absentee ballot.

Also, maybe this is me thinking crazy or too much outside of the box, but a lot of my peers might have the mentality that if their parents vote, then that is a vote for them as well since sometimes college students still rely heavily on their parents. I can almost guarantee that the young people that do vote are independent and have a better background in the importance of voting....

Democrats have laid claim to the youth vote ever since the flower children of the sixties, now running the DNC, and have lost most of those elections..

the only problem is that "young voters" talk a big game, but don't turn out

I may be alone here, but the stigma associated with youth voting appears mythical, or at least distorted. After all, over half of the country does not vote. Surely this is not entirely the fault of youths. Indeed, it seems that as time progresses, voting statistics in every age group tend to decrease. Yet it would be quite surprising to read a story specifically addressing the declining numbers in another age group. The 'youth' seem to be the only classification that enjoys such a distinction. And furthermore, we are dubbed lazy or apathetic because of it. Well, I am not quite convinced that my age or generation is to blame more than disinterest in American politics by Americans in general. Moreover, the purveyors of the lazy youth stigma work only to desensitize and discourage further participation by myself and my apparently lackluster peers.

I vote and many of my friends vote: not only for presidents, but for bills passed in our local cities and townships as well. I also have friends who have no interest in politics and couldn't care less what their tax rates happen to be. Maybe it's just me, but I have the suspicion that as I get a job, perhaps form a family, and retire, I will still have friends who vote and friends who do not. Their age will have nothing to do with it. The only thing that will change is that my friends who do not vote now will be called lazy, while 20 years from now they will be ignored.

In short, I cannot wait until my generation hits 30 and magically becomes hardworking and politically compassionate. We will have earned it after a decade of empty verbal abuse.

Dave from Atlanta – Democrats don't raise taxes on the poor and middle class, they usually raise it on the upper middle class and the wealthy. So if you are struggling to finish school it will be quite some time before you reach that bracket where the tax increases will affect you. Actually you would be the most likely person to benefit.

Just something to think about.

There are some pretty interesting comments posted here regarding youth voting.

Of the youth I know many of them are not even registered to vote. Of those that are registered the majority only vote in the general election. None that I have asked vote during the primaries. None vote during the local elections either.

I find it very telling that some of the comments discuss the hardship of voting.

For example: "Most students that can vote must obtain an absentee ballot, and frankly, that is the last thing on our minds."

The above quote is very telling. People of my age demographic are parents and homeowners. We juggle a full time job with trying to provide a quality life for our families and yet we find time to vote.

Some people claim the youth are disillusioned by the entire election process. So I must ask this question: How does not voting change the process?

I don't buy many of the excuses given regarding the youth vote. If you want to make a change then you must vote. If you don't vote you have absolutely no voice.

It is not the individual vote that makes the difference. If the youth got out and voted as a block, just like other interest groups do, they could make a huge impact on U.S. politics. It boggles my mind why this doesn't happen.

Obama is capturing the essence of America, and that includes the youth vote. He's the most like us. He's not an old, stuffy white guy with a trophy wife. He's got fresh ideas and he speaks in language that young people can identify with.

Obama, much like the youth of America, is our future.

It's unwise to count either of them out, because they're both forces to be reckoned with.

Will courting the youth vote help in '08? Not if the youth represented in these blogs are the ones being sought out. I've never seen the likes of these comments, got to be Red Necks.

I think many of the younger generation were disillusioned by the elections of 2000 and 2004 when they saw such things as Supreme Court act for all purposes and intents as a kingmaker, as well as the action of the Swift Boat Liars for Bush.

Or to quote John Mayer "it's not that we don't care; we just know that the fight ain't fair".

Let's take a logical approach to this. I voted in the last election, however it was difficult and took FOREVER. Most students that can vote must obtain an absentee ballot, and frankly, that is the last thing on our minds. We're more concerned about exams, presentations, job/internship searches, and of course drinking. Maybe they should hold our polls at the bar? I'm kidding.... but maybe we should handout absentee ballots to all incoming freshmen, or give them the information on how to obtain an absentee ballot themselves.
Oh, and one last thing.... maybe our HIGH SCHOOLs need to teach our students the importance of voting more often. My high school fortunately did a very good job at it, and my friends and I all vote.

Well...., since only 27% of America actually has a college degree, I'd say your going to have to corrupt alot more than just rich college kids to claim the youth vote.

RE: Dave in Atlanta "don't know why democrats think they have the youth vote. I barely have enough money to finish school, why would I vote for someone who is going to raise taxes on everything?"

because voting republican would increase the cost of your education, the availability of a loan and the interest on that loan. President Bush is too busy giving tax breaks to big business and not putting any funding into education. He veteoed CHIP and continues to make it harder for loan companies to give student loans. As long as a Democrat plans on not doing things that stifle education, a voter who is in school or fresh out of schoo who is looking to vote based on eduaction spending would be foolish not to look to the Democrats

I'm just about 25, I voted in the last election, (which gives me the right to complain about the sad current state of the white house) I will vote again in '08. I am registered independent, but unless Ron Paul is nominated I will more than likely be voting democrat. If things do boil down to a nightmarish match-up of gulliani vs. clinton, I may go the way of the write in candidate. I would also never give up my right to vote.

Let's face facts... young people may scream the loudest, shake their protest signs in your face and flame people in political blogs, but when it comes to dragging their sorry hides out to the polling places, (you know, ACTUALLY voting) they simply couldn't be bothered.

This is a myth that's trotted out every four years, talking about how the youth vote is actually going to make a difference, THIS TIME. Like Lucy pulling the football away from Charlie Brown, it's never going to happen! Charlie Brown's never going to kick that ball and young people are never going to turn out in numbers significant enough to sway any election.

Another myth that is repeated every election cycle is the existence of the "independent" voter. There is no such thing as an independent voter. You are either conservative or you're liberal.

My first question to any self-described independent is, "So, what's the name of the last Conservative you voted for?"

If they say they'd never vote for a conservative, then my response would be, "Well, then you're not truly an independent," for, any independent who refuses to cast even the OCCASIONAL ballot for a Conservative is simply a liberal who's embarrassed to admit publicly who they are.

Emily, I honestly don't care about who you vote for, just the fact that you take the time to "get educated about what's going on" and look forward to voting reminds me of how cool I thought voting was when I was your age.

I always felt that if you don't vote, you can't complain.

It is one of the most important things we do as Americans.

Having been in college during the last Pres election the reason a lot of people I knew who didnt vote was a really sad one. Living in Wisconsin we were told it was a close state by the media so we all voted. Having friends in Illinois where the media gave the state to Kerry before the polls even opened discouraged many of them from voting. Yes the younger vote isnt always reliable, and usually doesnt show up in the primaries, but the media has a major impact and the truth is if you are being told your vote wont count, why then go vote.

The Ron Paul supporters will vote. Like someone else mentioned they are fanatical and will show up at the polls. Thanks to the internet the youth can now be organized so that the lazy and forgetful will know to go vote.

The rest? Maybe Obama will get some youth vote but personally I think his youth support is because of a fad not because of his ideas(hint: he doesn't have any, just offers hope)

I'm 18 and I'm going to vote.

Dennis Kucinich 2008!

I don't know why democrats think they have the youth vote. I barely have enough money to finish school, why would I vote for someone who is going to raise taxes on everything?

I'm a 19 year old female, and I couldn't imagine NOT voting. I agree that many people my age aren't going out to the polls to vote, and I believe that's mainly because they just don't care enough. However, I think to group everyone in this age bracket together and say that we're "too lazy" to vote is ignorant.
Last night, as I was watching the CNN Democratic Debate, I tried to start a conversation with my roommate about it. When our conversation fell flat, I realized it was just because she was uneducated in politics, as most of my generation is.
I choose to vote because I believe you don't have a right to complain unless you tried to DO SOMETHING about it.
I may be in the minority of my generation, but I hope that more and more young people will start to vote and have a voice in their government.

Provided by CIRCLE (The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement): Youth voting surged by 11 percentage points in 2004. In presidential election years between 1972 and 2000, the turnout rate had declined by 16 percentage points. In 2004, 47% of 18-24 year old citizens voted, 66% of citizens 25 and older voted. As for 2006 they offered the following: Turnout among 18-29 year-olds increased for the second major election in a row. Young adults voted for the Democratic candidate over the Republican candidate in races for the House of Representatives (58% vs. 38%), the Senate (60% vs. 33%) and governor (55% vs. 34%).

Above are some interesting facts about youth voting trends that I found on CIRCLE's site. As a member of this group I know I voted in 2004 and will do so again in 2008. As will my brothers and many of our friends. Those who say young people don't vote probably have an interest in not seeing us vote. Don't listen to these people, don't be demoralized. Vote and prove them wrong. Let us shape an agenda that looks to the future instead of one that continues to keep us at odds in the present. Too many things (our soldiers in Iraq; our broken healthcare system; the environment; out of control tuition costs, etc) depend on good leadership.

The Democrats are positioned to receive a tidal wave of youth votes. 2008 will be the Year of the Democrats. The alignment of events and youth interest, particularly young females, will catapult the DEMS to stunning victories nationwide. The tailwind of Hillary Clinton will create a torrent of Democratic gains.

It is always good to engage as many younger voters as possible in our democracy. Sadly, a majority of Americans do not vote. With presidents of late serving two terms–the Presidential election is particularly important to younger voters. It may take decades to undo some of the changes a two term president can exert on domestic programs and the economy. It is their future they are voting on. Or not voting on.

No courting the youth vote is a waste of time. The youth talk a good game but come election day they always fail to turn out in decent numbers. For politicans there time and money is better spent elsewhere.

I'll be honest, Ron Paul fans kinda scare me. There are a few on these boards that talk about him in the same way evangelicals will witness to you. "Have you ever heard of Ron Paul? Have you accepted Ron Paul into your heart? Ron Paul died for your sins!"

I'm 25, and I'll be voting in the primaries and next November for local, state, and federal elections... Just not for Ron Paul. Some of his ideas are pretty good, but they're overshadowed by his crazy ones.

It's not that their vote doen't matter, it's that they're lazy. They don't want to put forth the effort of going to the polling place and vote. Politicans love those who don't vote, because there are less people they have to convince to vote for them and win elections. Those who don't vote the politician will pay lip service to your concerns, but to those that vote the politicians acts on their behave.
As for your friend that was threatened by her boss, go to the Justice Department and file a complaint.
If I remember correctly the political landscape changed for minorities not after the Civil Rights Act was passed but after the Voting Rights Act was passed. Politician can count especially votes, and that's what keeps them in office.
SO GO OUT AND VOTE. You get the government you deserve and the more people that vote the better government you get.

Choosing between voting or having your tuition paid? That's an idiotic question to ask-

I'd probably choose to have my tuition paid also if I was given that choice.

Young people vote if they feel motivated to and if it is not too difficult to cast a ballot.

How much is my vote worth? As much as I am. But of course, that's not that much right now...

25/m

Only one my age that I know votes regularly.

Most of the big, Texas money for Ron Paul is coming from T. Boone Pickens, the same jerk who funded the Swift Boat Vets.

The youth don't vote. Look at the last election when supposedly they were going to turn out in droves because of the war. It didn't happen. They definitely don't vote in primaries.

I am a 24 y/o female. I am also the only girl in my group of friends who voted this past election in PA. They all have a lot of complaining to do..but don't vote...It really doesn't matter how many people Barack or Hilary has in the Facebook groups because a sad majority will not take the time to get off their butts and head to the polling stations come election day. It really is sad. All of my friends reactions as to why they don't vote- "my vote doesn't matter." When they do decide to vote it is largley an uninformed vote persuaded by a friend or colleague. A little sister nof my friend actually told me that her boss told her she'd be fired if she did not register as a Repub...YUK..nothing feels better to me than voting..