Youth Voter Turnout Rate Rose to 51.1 Percent, Third Highest Rate Ever: 2 Million More Young People Voted Than in 2004
The fact sheet on youth voter turnout and trends in 2008 and a 50-state breakdown can be downloaded here (PDF). The press release is here.
Tisch College, Tufts University – Nearly two million more young Americans under the age of 30 voted in the 2008 presidential elections as compared to the 2004 elections, according to new Census data analyzed and released by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University’s Tisch College.
The increase is a continuation of the trend observed in the 2004 and 2006 elections. Youth turnout was 11 percentage points higher than in 1996, which was the low point after decades of decline. While young people increased their turnout significantly in 2008, older adults voted at lower rates than in 2004 and only slightly above their 2000 level.
Although overall youth turnout was high in the 2008 presidential election, there were important differences in turnout rates. Young African Americans posted the highest turnout rate ever observed for any racial or ethnic group of young Americans since 1972.
The gap in turnout by educational attainment remained large; voter turnout of young people without college experience was 36%, compared to a 62% rate among young people with college experience. (About half of the young adult population has some college experience.) There was also a significant gender gap in turnout: young women voted at a rate eight points above young men.
“We have now seen three consecutive presidential elections with substantial increases in youth turnout,” said CIRCLE Director Peter Levine. “We appear to have entered a new era of stronger youth engagement—also shown by high rates of volunteering and community service. But there are persistent gaps in engagement, with less advantaged youth still mostly left out. We must find ways to engage and expand civic opportunities for this cohort of young people.”
| Presidential Election Year |
18-24 Citizens |
25 and older Citizens |
18-29 Citizens |
30 and older Citizens |
|
1972 |
52.1% |
68.4% |
55.4% |
69.5% |
|
1976 |
44.4% |
65.4% |
48.8% |
67.0% |
|
1980 |
43.4% |
68.5% |
48.2% |
70.6% |
|
1984 |
44.3% |
68.9% |
49.1% |
71.2% |
|
1988 |
39.9% |
65.8% |
43.8% |
68.5% |
|
1992 |
48.6% |
70.5% |
52.0% |
72.4% |
|
1996 |
35.6% |
61.6% |
39.6% |
63.6% |
|
2000 |
36.1% |
62.9% |
40.3% |
64.6% |
|
2004 |
46.7% |
66.3% |
49.0% |
67.7% |
|
2008 |
48.5% |
65.8% |
51.1% |
67.0% |
Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement
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Great table, I can see that you are develop very fast, good luck to you!
“According to CIRCLE’s calculation, the increase in youth votes accounts for at least 60% of the overall increase in the number of votes, suggesting that this year’s election mobilized young people more than any other age groups.”
Thats pretty nice. Go young ppl!
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Nowadays, youth have better conditions to study so they have more knowledge to chose the right people to help their country.
The entire calculation looks quite stable, because the ration between the period of time and percentage is minimized. Thanks for sharing
“The gap in turnout by educational attainment remained large; voter turnout of young people without college experience was 36%, compared to a 62% rate among young people with college experience.” I see.
Young African Americans posted the highest turnout rate ever observed for any racial or ethnic group of young Americans since 1972.
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It’s no surprise to see that Young African Americans posted the highest turnout rate ever seeing as how Obama was running, but it’s great to see that the overall youth turnout was exceptional.
“Older adults voted at lower rates than in 2004″ that is really interesting considering it was one of the most important elections in recent history. It looks like the youth vote really made a difference.
Great numbers, it tell everything for me.
Thank you very much.
Very interesting information as well as the manner of presentation. This kind of question is one of the most burning ones. Thanks for sharing and concern.
I think that now old people more lazy than before, they just want to stay at home all day.
Very great increasing but how about in the future, will it decrease?
Nice table, now I can understand more about youth and elder.
Thank you.
This is really inspiring and shows that the young generation are getting back the faith on the overall government system. More and more of them are participating as they now truly believe that they can contribute in changes and good decisions. Its nice for the country.
The entire calculation looks quite stable, because the ration between the period of time and percentage is minimized. Thanks for sharing.
I am an old man, but always like and encourage enthusiasm among the younger generation. Great to see the table.
Your post is very great with a nice table, now I can understand more about civic education.
Thanks.
Good Chart prepared with all age group like that yes civic education might have new funda but one of important.
Looking for some more interesting stuffs.
Very nice post. Really impressive writings. Waiting for more posts.
regards,
Thanks for the nice insight.
You said the right way. I am glad someone finally wrote about it
Thanks for the story. Pretty interesting…
the youth is increasingly becoming involved in being a part of the micro and macro political systems and finally employing their right of voice to decide who should lead and decide their future
I think the system needs to be changed so that everyone who is a citizen and not a minor should vote. Simple as that!
I don’t think that ‘forcing’ them to vote is an answer. We just needs to change the political landscape and finally have politicians who appeal to the young
Great numbers, it tell everything for me.
Thank you very much. It’s no surprise to see that Young African Americans posted the highest turnout rate ever seeing.
the youth is increasingly becoming involved in being a part of the micro and macro political systems and finally employing their right of voice to decide who should lead and decide their future totally agree with you dude
Thanks for the information. It’s been very useful for me!
I really like your post.
Great job!
With a young candidate like Obama, the younger generation were more galvanized to vote.
very usefull article! keep the good work
Do you think social networking sites have increased the likelihood of a youth vote? It seems to me that these sites were employed to great effect by the campaigns and allowed youth to dabble in advocacy from the safety of their computers before going out and voting.
Cooool
thx for pdf and press release link resource, youth getting on their responsibility.
new era, full of hope!
That was a nice statistics board. I wonder how many youths are new registrants this year?
Young people are becoming more interested in politics because they have better education as to the effects that different candidates can have not only on the country as a whole but their direct employment prospects as a young person.
That’s good. More are interested in who is running the country.
very usefull article! keep the good work
It was very refreshing to see that the youth voters did come out this election. The down side is, Obama’s high ratings are starting to slide. People are questioning what he has actually gotten accomplished so far.
Keep going, I like what I read so far. Don’t stop.
Nice table, it tell everything for me.
Thanks for the insight.
Young voters were the difference in the last election. I think that is a good thing, it means more of the population is being represented.
Interesting that 2008 was so inline with 1972.
This is interesting research you have gathered. The table really shows election differences.
Very great increasing but how about in the future, will it decrease?
Youth can’t really solve all our problem, but they can still contribute something. I hope every youth will participate to the election.
That’s a good sign. I bet the next election will have even higher turnout.
Thank you for the great web site - a true resource, and one many people clearly enjoy thanks for sharing the info, keep up the good work going….
Thanks for the resource. I never thought of it that way. Clearly you have done the research and talk about it.
Great info. Thanks for the tips
That’s a good sign. I bet the next election will have even higher turnout.
Yes that’s a good news for us as the youth voter are more conscious about their voting rights.They’ll be more serious towards the politics & their involvement in it.
I would like to come back to your blog tomorrow and get dome note down for my lab work.
Your blog is so scientifically based that I was just afraid to read it as not to feel uneducated.
Nowadays, young people have more modern facilities that provide good conditions to study providing them with more knowledge to chose the correct people to help their country.
high rates of volunteering and community service. But there are persistent gaps in engagement, with less advantaged youth still mostly left out. We must find ways to engage and expand civic opportunities for this cohort of young people.”
i agree with edinburgh. the private sectro should take a lead in increasing people’s awareness about what they can offer to society. the government should also be there to promote volunteerism at all age group
Interesting title for a complicated subject. thanks
I agree with that info. They should always try to promote it using the best way
Do you think this problem can be solve that easily? I don’t think so…
Although it’s never easy to solve this type of problems but giving it a try is probably worth it.
That is a great indication. I reckon the next election will have even bigger turnout.
Interesting title for a complicated subject. thanks
Interesting subject but complicated issue.
Thanks for the great information.
Thank you for this analysis because I’m student of sociological department and I need such surveys for my diploma. I think I can take this subject for the basis. Keep up your work.
I think young voters are fed up with the way the country is being run and want their voice to be heard.
When voters request or needs are not met, they then to get frustrated and angry. It is as simple as that.
“Older adults voted at lower rates than in 2004″ that is really interesting considering it was one of the most important elections in recent history. It looks like the youth vote really made a difference.
This just shows that todays youth has not yet applied the full power through voting. More should be done to help let young people know how important it is to vote.
I think it is possible, to some extent, that they youth vote was not relevant on this issue due to the inexperience or indifference of that voter segment to the amendment. If they did not express a preference at all, then the older vote would sway the outcome.
I have no explanation why the amendment would have been rejected in 2006. Were the amendments worded exactly the same in both years? That would certainly be a factor if not.
It feels great to know that the youth participated in an important event like this. This is a good sign that they are not just the happy-go-lucky youngsters - they care about the country and the government.
Thanks for the tips
Thanks for the wonderful idea.
calculation looks quite stable, because the ration between the period of time and percentage is minimized. Thanks for sharing
Yes, the statistics never lies..
Thanks for the tips
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the amendment would have been rejected in 2006. Were the amendments worded exactly the same in both years? That would certainly be a factor if not.
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Well it is good thing that New Census Data Confirm Increase in Youth Voter Turnout In 2008 Election. Youth is the power of US.
Don’t you understand that it’s the best time to get the mortgage loans, which would help you.
you for sharing this information. This was a great post to come by. I cant wait to catch the next one.
I am happy to find much useful information in the post,
writing sequence is awesome, I always look for quality content, thanks for sharing.
Very nice table, it tell everything for me.
Thanks for the insight!))
Its very nicely displayed table. I think youth is taking more part in politics these days.
the amendment would have been rejected in 2006. Were the amendments worded exactly the same in both years? That would certainly be a factor if not.
very nice table and you spot a good detail about it ..thanks for share..
The statistic showed good improvement compared to previous years’ election.
i will definitely share this article. thanks for your information.
Great stuff as always…keep up the great work…