AccessMyLibrary provides FREE access to over 30 million articles from top publications available through your library.
Create a link to this page
Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:
Campaigns find it difficult to rock votes loose from apathetic youth.
Oct. 19--MADISON, Wis.--Nothing so far seems to have persuaded Jordan Reilly to vote on Election Day.
Not the MTV spots or the Rock the Vote concerts or Comedy Central. Not the daily voter registration drives outside the University of Wisconsin library. Not the pressure from his peers. Not the hip-hop artists who have visited. Not the issues of war, a military draft and the economy. And certainly not George Bush or John Kerry.
As thousands of students on one of the most politically active campuses in the country gathered in clusters one night recently to watch a presidential debate, Reilly didn't bother. He pulled his clothes from a dryer at a downtown laundromat and walked out the front door past a throng of University of Wisconsin students whose eyes were glued to a bank of televisions.
"I've got stuff to do," said the 21-year-old senior majoring in history. "Your ability to influence the [election] outcome is insignificant. Who knows? Maybe I'll change my mind on Election Day."
Reilly represents one of this campaign year's conundrums: Will young people, who have shunned elections in increasing numbers since 1972, vote en masse this November? And if so, will first-time "Virgin Voters" -- as the non-partisan New Voters Project calls them -- change the tide of the election?
"They are the powerful great unknown," said Zach Brandon, a Madison alderman who for years has followed youth voting trends in this liberal university town. "They could either be a gigantic influence or a big flop."
In the campaign's final weeks, political prognosticators have been sizing up the youth vote like oddsmakers on a ...
- Promote the vote: big names pushing young people to the polls.(Teen Focus)
- Magazine article from: Know Your World Extra October 15, 2004 700+ words
...many groups trying to get young people excited about voting. These...Kurt Angle--are urging young people to vote on Election Day, November 2. In the 2000...re trying to explain to young people that there are a lot of people...
- YouthNoise Tells Young People 'Don't Vote' and See What Happens to Their Future.
- Press release article from: PR Newswire October 31, 2006 700+ words
...this year. "The number of young people who are not exercising their...aggressive initiative calls on young people to exercise their right to...illustrate what could happen if young people don't vote this Election Day: * "Don't Vote! Because...
- Election day brings out youth involvement.
- Newspaper article from: Nation's Cities Weekly Crosby, Keshia November 22, 2004 700+ words
...youth advocates to get young people revolved in the political...to work at the polls on election day. The Board of Elections...Youth Issues on the Ballot Young people were also the focus of some Election Day issues. In Baltimore...
- Kids and Teenagers Prefer Bush Over Kerry; Harris Interactive youth poll shows...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire October 4, 2004 700+ words
...might reflect a tendency young people have towards the familiar as Election Day approaches." The poll...education (37% vs. 29%). Young people gave John Kerry an edge...questions supplied by young people - some of which will be...
- YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE TO PROTECT SA'S FREEDOM: ZUMA.
- News wire article from: Asia Africa Intelligence Wire April 6, 2004 700+ words
...Association)) Today's young people have a duty to defend...achieving this, was for young people to turn out in their millions on election day. Zuma was addressing...sought to motivate other young people involved in the struggle...
- A passion for getting out the vote: Out of jail and into politics, activist...
- Newspaper article from: Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, MD) April 21, 2006 700+ words
...himself about how many young people he could get to the polls on Election Day. In 2001, he had served...increase voter turnout among young people, especially African...West Wing. And I love young people." It's a tough job...
- US gay candidates expect Election Day breakthrough.
- News wire article from: The America's Intelligence Wire October 7, 2008 700+ words
...Polis is gay. But his expected congressional race victory on Election Day would be a historic milestone and, he hopes, send an encouraging message to gay and lesbian young people across the United States. Polis, a 33-year-old entrepreneur...
- MN recognizes wrestlers for efforts in getting young people to vote.
- Newspaper article from: St. Paul Legal Ledger December 2, 2004 700+ words
...organization's efforts to get young people to vote in the presidential election...Another 581,904 were added on Election Day through same-day registrations...Take 5" initiative to get young people to go to the polls and was involved...
- Area poll workers ready for Election Day.
- Newspaper article from: Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, TN) November 7, 2006 700+ words
...like many poll workers, said she considers working on Election Day her civic duty. "I wish we could get some younger folks...the polls)," she said. "(Election officials ) call young people to help us and they don't want to accept the responsibility...
- USC: USC students team up with lawyers to ensure smooth Election Day.
- News wire article from: The America's Intelligence Wire November 5, 2008 700+ words
...area polling stations on Election Day. AaAWe thought this would...of anticipated problems on Election Day, including long lines...they are eager to work on Election Day, and look forward to helping...Protection shows how dedicated young people are to the political ...
Source: HighBeam Research, Campaigns find it difficult to rock votes loose from apathetic youth.