Inaugural Thoughts
"All of this stress about our country’s future as well as my own has got me thinking: why doesn’t my school provide some sort of political outlet for its students? In an attempt to be too politically sensitive to its students, my teachers have usually all but ignored current event connections in their classrooms."
By Rachel Krantz

Today is the Day
"Yes, I voted for President Bush and I support his politics, but the numbers do show who the winner is regardless of my political stance. All you can do is be a good sport and deal with the man for another four years."
By DeSean Robinson-Walker

Why I Want to Vote
Immigration wasn’t one of the top domestic issues candidates addressed on the campaign trail. But, that doesn’t change the fact there were voters who went to the polls last Tuesday who are naturalized citizens. This election season prompted Youth Radio’s Luis Sierra to apply for U.S. citizenship.

Floridian Kerry Supporter
Youth Radio correspondent Chardae Davis is a senior at a very left-wing high school. She had nightmares about the outcome of the presidential election leading up to Election Day. Even though her nightmare became reality- John Kerry didn’t win the election, she believes her endless hours of campaigning still made a difference.

The Youth Vote
Many pundits are saying the youth vote didn’t make the mark it was expected to – pushing John Kerry over the edge to win. Get out the vote groups like Rock the Vote and MTV’s Choose or Lose say that analysis misses the point. Youth Radio’s Belia Mayeno reports. (November 6 on NPR's Weekend All Things Considered)

From Florida, With Love
Youth Radio's Sara Harris has been cruising along Flordia's coast, covering Election 2004. She interviewed Floridian youth at polling places, colleges and communities about their opinions on this year's election. She sent this blog to Youth Radio, including photos and audio clips of various people she's met along the way.

Young Poll Workers
As regular poll volunteers get older, elections officials across the country face a severe labor shortage. The solution? Recruit high school students. How do you instill a sense of civic responsibility in young people - and get them to come back next year for less exciting mid-term and primary elections? Youth Radio's Jacob Schneider reports. (November 2 on Marketplace)

One of the Many Single Females
Single women comprise one of the largest voting blocks in this country, larger than Hispanic, Jewish and African American voting groups combined. But in 2000, an alarming 22 million of them didn’t vote and 16 million weren’t even registered. Youth Radio's Sara Perez has been informing her single female friends of the importance to cast their vote.

Working the Polls
Many youth across the nation are feeling helpless because they cannot vote in this year's presidential election. Youth Radio's Janee Wafer has found a solution to her dilemma. She is working the polls on Election Day because she believes it still involves her in the movement to vote.

Get Out the Youth Vote
The close presidential race in 2000 has invigorated voter organizing efforts across the United States—especially those appealing to young people. Youth Radio sent reporter Belia Mayeno to research what young people are doing to get out the vote, with campaigns that tell us just as much about youth culture as they do about this year’s election. (November 2 on KPFA)

Resident President
Across the country, many voters have flocked to the polls in an effort to avoid a repeat of Election 2000. Voters in Florida, California and New York have cast early ballots to ensure their votes are accurately accounted for. Youth Radio's Anye Malik Howell expresses his opinions on this year's election.

Citizen Change: Vote or Die!
You've seen it on the billboards, on MTV and even on your favorite celebrities. Vote or Die! has become this year's popular slogan to get young voters involved in the political process. Youth Radio's Deshawnna Riley offers her opinion on this campaign that has swept the nation.

Youth Perspectives
With pollsters predicting record turnout among young voters, we check in with young people around the country, and right here in the Bay Area. Which election issues are important to them? What shapes their political beliefs? And who do they think will win? (October 31 on KQED)

California Ballot Propositions
Haven't had time to read the Voter Information Guide? Youth Radio's Blanca Garcia provides a rundown of this year's propositions- with a summary, pro and con arguments and links to websites for additional information on each proposition on the ballot.

Taking A Stand
Youth Radio's Ricky Zhang is a teenage Republican and one of our many political analysts. He offers his opinion on what he believes to be this year's most important propositions on California's ballot.

Check out more Youth Perspectives on Election 2004!

Young Reporter in the City
Youth Radio's DeSean Robinson-Walker spent the week in New York City at the Republican National Convention. He sent this audio postcard of his experience as a young reporter and fellow Republican. (September 3 on NPR's Tavis Smiley Show)

Crash-Course in Politics
Eighteen year-old Elena Alvarez Huerta was born in Los Angeles, but has lived in Tijuana all her life. This week, she took her first ever airplane ride to New York to cover the Republican National Convention for Youth Radio. She shares these reflections about her crash-course in U.S. electoral politics. (September 3 on Latino USA)

California Delegate: Nick Romero
21 year-old Nick Romero is an alternate delegate at the Republican Convention. The Californian has spent his week attending speeches and hobnobbing with party heavyweights. Youth Radio has been following along and collecting Nick's impressions. (September 2 on NPR's All Things Considered)

Star Search Politics
This fall, some of the nation’s hottest bands will launch a swing-state concert tour, hoping to use their music and popularity to support candidates. Youth Radio’s Sophie Simon-Ortiz recently attended a hip political party, and her thinking changed about the way celebrity culture is transforming national politics.

Check out more Youth Radio coverage on RNC 2004!

Chauffeur Fan
22 year-old Andre Gonzales moved to Boston from California this summer, to volunteer at the Democratic National Convention, and was assigned to be a driver for a party VIP. Youth’s Radio’s Sophie Simon-Ortiz rode around town with Andre on one of his breaks, and has this story.

Letters from DNC '04
"After spending an hour on the convention floor Wednesday night, I can vouch for the fact that the frenetic excitement is truly contagious."
By Jacob Schneider

Mistral Party
Last night, John Kerry supporters Robert Crowe and John Manning held a dinner honoring Teresa Heinz Kerry at a local Boston restaurant. Youth Radio’s Luis Sierra stopped by the restaurant while they were setting up for the big event. (July 29 on NPR's Morning Edition)

 Young Latino Delegate
21-year-old Alejandro Aviles is attending his first Democratic convention this week. He’s an alternate delegate to Arkansas and is the youngest Latino delegate from the southern state. Youth Radio’s Luis Sierra has been following him around this week. (July 28 on NPR's All Things Considered)

Check out more Youth Radio coverage on DNC 2004!