Youth Voter Statistics

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It’s official:  2008 is the year of the young voter.

The Institute of Politics at Harvard University recently released data from an online survey of 2,525 18- to 24-year-olds. Among the survey’s more notable statistics are those concerning party affiliation among Asian-Americans: 47 percent identify themselves as Democratic, 15 percent Republican and 39 percent independent — making them more Democratic than any other ethnic group except African-Americans in the survey.

The Young Voter Revolution is underway.  Young people have turned out in record numbers in primary contests and young people will be the margin of victory for Democrats up and down the ticket.

Already, 2008 proves that the increased youth turnout in 2004 and 2006 and young voter’s overwhelming preference for the Democratic Party is an ongoing trend, not a fluke.  While candidates have capitalized on the youth vote, young people were already poised to make a major impact on this election.

The Democratic primary results prove what we’ve been saying for years – when you talk to young people and target them in your field campaigns, they turn out to vote.

Young people are engaged and paying attention to this election, they are energized, and they are voting in record numbers.  80% of young people are paying close attention to this election, compared to only 42% in 2004.

Primary Turnout:

 
Super Tuesday:  Nationally more than three million young voters cast a vote or caucused.  Over two million votes were cast for a Democratic candidate compared to only 900,000 for Republicans.  Nearly every Super Tuesday state saw a dramatic increase in young voter turnout; some states saw turnout triple or even quadruple over past years.

2004 and 2006 Turnout:

The 2004 elections marked the largest increase in young voter turnout since 1972.  Over 20 million young people ages 18-29 case a ballot, a nine-point increase over 2000, more than double that of any other age group.

In 2004, there were more voters under 30 years old than voters over 65 years old.

Approximately 10 million young voters went to the polls in 2006, up nearly 2 million from 2002, and young voters were 21% of the electorate.

Democratic Performance:

Young voters are the new base of the Democratic Party.  Young people aren’t just voting in record numbers – they’re voting overwhelmingly for Democratic candidates.

Democrats have a 19 point advantage in party identification.  Nearly half of 18-29 year olds (47%) identify as Democrats, up from 40% in 2006.  Just 28% identify as Republicans.

70% of young people who identify as Democrats say they are likely to vote.

Democrats have a 25 point advantage on the generic congressional ballot, 52-27%.

We saw it in 2004, 2006 and now 2008 – young voters are the margin of victory for Democrats.

Young voters will propel Democrats up and down the ballot to victory in November.

2004 and 2006 Democratic Performance:

Young people ages 18-30 were the ONLY age group to support the Democratic ticket in 2004.  Kerry received 54% of the youth vote to Bush’s 44%. 

In 2006, young voters ages 18-29 supported Democratic candidates by an impressive 58%, six points higher than the voting-age population as a whole. 

Democratic Candidates and the Youth Vote:

Democratic candidates are targeting young people.  Candidates are vying to win this demographic, highlighting how important the youth demographic has become in Democratic politics.

Among young voters, both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama beat John McCain by double digits in a head to head match-up.  Clinton defeats McCain by 12 points and Obama defeats McCain by 30 points.

No matter who wins the Democratic nomination, young people will overwhelmingly support our nominee in November and sweep them into the White House.  Young people see themselves in the Democratic candidates – optimistic, diverse, innovative, and ready for change. 

The Clinton and Obama campaigns both have staff dedicated to turning out young voters. 

When candidates target young people, they turn out.  In Iowa, Senator Obama organized college and high school students and won those groups overwhelmingly.  In New Hampshire, Senator Clinton realized she had to make up ground and went after young professionals and young workers, winning the 24-29 year olds. 

Democrats on the Issues:

Young people are rejecting the failed policies of the Bush Administration and support Democrats on every key issue.  68% of young people think the country is off on the wrong track.

Young voters want change.  They’re tired of partisan politics and trust Democrats to solve the big problems facing our country.

Young voters know that all the Republican candidates are offering is a third term for the failed policies of President Bush.

Young people know Democrats will bring about needed change on all of the issues we care about, from ending the war in Iraq, to overcoming economic uncertainty, to college affordability, to global warming and energy independence.  Democrats care about issues young people care about.

Jobs and the economy dominate young people’s concerns and the lack of affordable health care and rising cost of high education are related priority issues.  The war in Iraq continues to be a top concern as well.