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Youth Vote
"The election season has brought on an avalanche of young volunteers staffing campaign offices, registering friends to vote, and rallying support through social networking and mobile technology."
By Denise Tejada
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Young people have proven to be an important political force in the 2008 election cycle. Changes in technology are enabling them to get involved in politics in new and interesting ways. Youth Radio’s Denise Tejada believes this generation of youth voters has the potential to be “trendsetters.”
The popular wisdom about this election is that most young voters are unreliable. Some critics say we’re indecisive and easily persuaded. But I say our votes could take this election in a new direction.
After the Pennsylvania primary results this week, some political pundits are saying it’s time for candidates to reevaluate their campaign strategies. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that seniors, rather than voters under thirty, are the most likely voting bloc to guarantee candidates a golden ticket to the White House in November. The article claimed senior citizens are consistent voters and more willing to empty their pockets for campaign donations than younger voters.
Well, I’m going to stand up for my generation. The election season has brought on an avalanche of young volunteers staffing campaign offices, registering friends to vote, and rallying support through social networking and mobile technology. We’re trendsetters, capable of making politics cool for the next generation. And the bottom line is, the youth vote has been steadily increasing and is the highest since 1972. So if you think we’re flakey, you’re in for a surprise come November 4th.
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