Democrats pursue young voters in effort to reverse tradition of poor turnout -

Published on Monday, August 25, 2008
By JIM MILLER and BEN GOAD

DENVER - Democrats are mounting an intense effort to get young voters to the polls this fall, seeing them as a potentially large trove of ballots in close congressional contests as well as in swing states that will decide a tight presidential race.

Young voters often have been touted as the next big thing in political campaigns. Their Election Day turnout, though, historically has been lackluster, with older voters dominating the electorate.

"You've got people my age in Iraq; you've got people my age who can't get jobs," said Greg Schuelke, of Redlands, a young Barack Obama delegate. "It's really frustrating because the youth of this country is the future and that's what politics is supposed to be about."

The 2008 primary season suggests the trend is changing. The estimated 6 million people 30 and younger who voted during this year's primary elections was nearly triple the youth turnout in 2004. Youth participation Nov Read Full Article...

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