New Census Data Confirm Increase in Youth Voter Turnout In 2008 Election
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% |
April 29th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
[...] CIRCLE – A nonpartisan research center studying youth civic engagement and civic education. » New C… [...]
June 16th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
[...] an array of college students obsessed with the Obama “cool” factor turned out to vote (http://www.civicyouth.org/?p=339). After all, how many guys can boast a phone book full of millions of college-aged girls to text [...]
June 30th, 2009 at 2:52 am
Great table, I can see that you are develop very fast, good luck to you!
July 7th, 2009 at 2:36 am
“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!
-the cover letter examples guy
July 14th, 2009 at 12:55 am
Nowadays, youth have better conditions to study so they have more knowledge to chose the right people to help their country.
July 14th, 2009 at 3:51 am
The entire calculation looks quite stable, because the ration between the period of time and percentage is minimized. Thanks for sharing
July 16th, 2009 at 7:25 am
“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.
July 18th, 2009 at 5:10 am
Young African Americans posted the highest turnout rate ever observed for any racial or ethnic group of young Americans since 1972.
Online highschool
July 19th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
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.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
“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.
July 20th, 2009 at 3:58 am
Great numbers, it tell everything for me.
Thank you very much.
July 21st, 2009 at 1:51 am
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.
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:49 am
I think that now old people more lazy than before, they just want to stay at home all day.
July 24th, 2009 at 6:26 am
Very great increasing but how about in the future, will it decrease?
July 25th, 2009 at 4:23 am
Nice table, now I can understand more about youth and elder.
Thank you.
July 31st, 2009 at 5:40 am
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.
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:11 am
The entire calculation looks quite stable, because the ration between the period of time and percentage is minimized. Thanks for sharing.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:42 am
I am an old man, but always like and encourage enthusiasm among the younger generation. Great to see the table.
August 9th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Your post is very great with a nice table, now I can understand more about civic education.
Thanks.
August 10th, 2009 at 5:18 am
Good Chart prepared with all age group like that yes civic education might have new funda but one of important.
August 10th, 2009 at 5:20 am
Looking for some more interesting stuffs.
August 11th, 2009 at 1:52 am
Very nice post. Really impressive writings. Waiting for more posts.
regards,
August 14th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Thanks for the nice insight.
August 14th, 2009 at 9:38 am
You said the right way. I am glad someone finally wrote about it
August 14th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Thanks for the story. Pretty interesting…
August 16th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
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
August 16th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
I think the system needs to be changed so that everyone who is a citizen and not a minor should vote. Simple as that!
August 16th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
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
August 19th, 2009 at 6:52 am
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.
August 20th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
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
August 21st, 2009 at 9:25 am
Thanks for the information. It’s been very useful for me!
August 21st, 2009 at 9:27 am
I really like your post.
August 21st, 2009 at 9:28 am
Great job!
August 25th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
With a young candidate like Obama, the younger generation were more galvanized to vote.
August 26th, 2009 at 7:04 am
very usefull article! keep the good work
September 13th, 2009 at 9:15 am
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.
September 15th, 2009 at 3:11 am
Cooool
September 18th, 2009 at 5:44 am
thx for pdf and press release link resource, youth getting on their responsibility.
September 25th, 2009 at 3:08 am
new era, full of hope!
October 1st, 2009 at 6:50 pm
That was a nice statistics board. I wonder how many youths are new registrants this year?
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
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.
October 12th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
That’s good. More are interested in who is running the country.
October 17th, 2009 at 3:52 am
very usefull article! keep the good work
October 20th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
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.
October 31st, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Keep going, I like what I read so far. Don’t stop.
December 3rd, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Nice table, it tell everything for me.
Thanks for the insight.
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:13 am
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.
December 28th, 2009 at 1:06 am
Interesting that 2008 was so inline with 1972.
December 29th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
This is interesting research you have gathered. The table really shows election differences.
January 3rd, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Very great increasing but how about in the future, will it decrease?
January 5th, 2010 at 7:56 am
Youth can’t really solve all our problem, but they can still contribute something. I hope every youth will participate to the election.
January 21st, 2010 at 4:54 am
That’s a good sign. I bet the next election will have even higher turnout.
January 28th, 2010 at 6:04 am
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….
February 1st, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Thanks for the resource. I never thought of it that way. Clearly you have done the research and talk about it.
February 1st, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Great info. Thanks for the tips
February 14th, 2010 at 7:21 am
That’s a good sign. I bet the next election will have even higher turnout.
February 16th, 2010 at 5:10 am
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.
February 18th, 2010 at 4:24 am
I would like to come back to your blog tomorrow and get dome note down for my lab work.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:23 am
Your blog is so scientifically based that I was just afraid to read it as not to feel uneducated.
March 15th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
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.
March 18th, 2010 at 3:08 am
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.”
March 18th, 2010 at 4:23 am
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
April 5th, 2010 at 8:03 am
Interesting title for a complicated subject. thanks
April 5th, 2010 at 8:03 am
I agree with that info. They should always try to promote it using the best way
April 5th, 2010 at 8:04 am
Do you think this problem can be solve that easily? I don’t think so…
April 5th, 2010 at 8:05 am
Although it’s never easy to solve this type of problems but giving it a try is probably worth it.
April 7th, 2010 at 4:11 am
That is a great indication. I reckon the next election will have even bigger turnout.
April 16th, 2010 at 12:09 am
Interesting title for a complicated subject. thanks
May 4th, 2010 at 6:34 am
Interesting subject but complicated issue.
May 4th, 2010 at 6:35 am
Thanks for the great information.
May 15th, 2010 at 3:50 am
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.
June 3rd, 2010 at 2:43 am
I think young voters are fed up with the way the country is being run and want their voice to be heard.
June 4th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
When voters request or needs are not met, they then to get frustrated and angry. It is as simple as that.
June 6th, 2010 at 7:22 am
“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.
June 7th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
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.
June 7th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
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.
June 7th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
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.
June 18th, 2010 at 5:43 am
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.
June 21st, 2010 at 9:29 am
Thanks for the tips
June 21st, 2010 at 9:30 am
Thanks for the wonderful idea.
June 23rd, 2010 at 12:29 am
calculation looks quite stable, because the ration between the period of time and percentage is minimized. Thanks for sharing
June 28th, 2010 at 3:13 am
Yes, the statistics never lies..
June 29th, 2010 at 8:53 am
Thanks for the tips
July 1st, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Thank you for sharing this information. This was a great post to come by. I cant wait to catch the next one.
October 27th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
It takes time for this time of information to come by, but making thing happen and changing the mind set will not be easy.
February 21st, 2011 at 5:27 pm
[...] increased youth advertising. Thanks to Hughes and the Obama “millennial campaign,” the 2008 vote increased to 51.1% in 2008, while older adults voted at lower rates. When told Yes We Can, their [...]
December 8th, 2011 at 11:30 am
[...] the last presidential election, only about 62% of eligible Americans voted. Turnout among young people was even worse, although activist groups were excited that it was one of the highest youth turnouts in 30 [...]
March 15th, 2012 at 7:11 pm
[...] Millennial participation in that most basic of American rights and civic actions—voting—is also greater than for previous generations of young people. According to census data reported by CIRCLE, an organization that researches and influences youthful political participation, 49% of those 18-24 and 51% of those 18-29 voted in the 2008 presidential election. With one exception, this was the highest youth participation in any presidential election since 1972, when Democratic candidate, George McGovern targeted and won young people (if little else). It was well above the numbers in 1996 (36% for 18-24 year olds and 40% for 18-29 year olds) when the “youth vote” was entirely Gen-X. (http://www.civicyouth.org/new-census-data-confirm-increase-in-youth-voter-turnout-in-2008-election/) [...]
March 16th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
[...] also greater than for previous generations of young people. According to census data reported by CIRCLE, an organization that researches political participation by young people, 49% of those 18-24 and [...]
April 24th, 2012 at 2:55 pm
[...] Except it wasn't a historic thing. According to research from Tufts University's Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, 48.5 percent of citizens 18 to 24 voted in 2008. In 2004, that number was 46.7 percent. In [...]
September 6th, 2012 at 8:23 pm
[...] two million more young adults voted in the 2008 presidential election compared to the 2004 turnout. Emily Craig was one of the 51% of [...]
September 7th, 2012 at 1:00 am
[...] two million more young adults voted in the 2008 presidential election compared to the 2004 turnout. Emily Craig was one of the 51% of [...]
September 7th, 2012 at 1:03 am
[...] two million more young adults voted in the 2008 presidential election compared to the 2004 turnout. Emily Craig was one of the 51% of [...]
September 24th, 2012 at 10:07 am
[...] 2008 general election saw an increase in young voter turnout. According to CIRCLE, young voter turnout in 2008 rose to 51.1%, the highest since the 52% of the 1992 election. The [...]
September 27th, 2012 at 2:35 am
[...] as an accessible figure to his most important constituents: the American youth. As such, a reported 48.5% of registered voters between the ages of 18-24 turned out to vote in that election … while this was only a 2% increase from 2004 turnout rates, [...]
September 30th, 2012 at 8:45 am
[...] 2008 presidential election saw the third-highest youth voter turnout in history and President Obama’s ability to connect with and mobilize young Americans was widely lauded as a [...]
October 8th, 2012 at 10:33 am
[...] College voters are a huge demographic in national elections and can have a huge effect on voter involvement, as we saw with the 2008 elections. In 2008, “nearly 2 million more young Americans under the age of 30” voted in the presidential election than in 2004, according to census data from The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. [...]
October 11th, 2012 at 6:28 am
[...] experienced a youth movement that was unprecedented in the United States history. According to CIRCLE.com, the youth voter turnout rose 51.1 percent, which is the third highest rate ever. 2 million more [...]
October 21st, 2012 at 2:46 pm
[...] polls far less than older voters ever since being granted the vote by the 26th Amendment. Indeed, voter turnout among this age group was 51.1%, the highest it had been since 1992 when it reached 52.0%, although still not as high as the [...]
November 12th, 2012 at 5:44 pm
[...] to a report from the The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), in 2008, youth voter turnout was at 48.5%, which is the third highest recorded turnout rate for [...]
December 9th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
[...] is a graphic compiled from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement to show the changes in the youth vote (ages 18-24) during the past few [...]