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YOUNG VOTER

TALKING POINTS

 

2008: THE YEAR OF THE YOUNG VOTER

The Young Voter Revolution has taken hold in early primary and caucus states, with young people turning out in record numbers for Democratic candidates.

Young voters played a crucial role in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina and they will continue to be a key constituency throughout the primary season. This is just the beginning; these results demonstrate that young voters will be the margin of victory in November. No matter which candidate they choose in the primary, young people are energized for this election and are voting overwhelmingly for Democrats. In three key swing states – Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada – young people showed the momentum is with Democrats for the general election.

 

CALIFORNIA

  • With over 5 million young people in California, young people form a huge voting bloc in the Golden State
  • California young voters are among the most diverse in the nation; they best reflect the future demographics of the nation
  • Young Californians are voting for Democrats.  In the 2006 Gubernatorial election, young people shocked the nation by being the only demographic to oppose their celebrity governor.
  • With over 70 chapters around the state, the California Young Democrats are ready to ensure our peers are the margin of victory this November. 

IOWA

  • In the crucial swing state of Iowa, 80% of all young voters caucused for a Democratic
  • candidate.
  • Turnout among 18-29 year old caucus-goers rose to 13%, up from 4% in 2004.
  • Nearly 65,000 young people participated in the caucus and young voters comprised an astonishing 22% of all caucus-goers.

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE

  • In New Hampshire’s open primary, 61% of young people voted for a Democrat.
  • Turnout among 18-29 year-olds in New Hampshire rose to an incredible 37%, up from 18% in 2004.
  • Young voters were 18% of all Democratic voters, a larger share of the electorate than the traditionally coveted over 65 age group (who were 13%).
  • The youth vote split among Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton; 18-24 year-olds supported Obama, 61%-22% while 25-29 year-olds supported Clinton, 37%-34%.

NEVADA

  • Young voters supported Democrats by a 3:1 margin.
  • Youth turnout was 5%, and overall turnout was 10%, signaling more time and effort needs to be done in this purple state.
  • Nearly 20,000 young people turned out to caucus and young voters comprised 12% of all caucus participants.

 

SOUTH CAROLINA

  • Even in the red state of South Carolina, young people supported Democratic candidates, with 62% of young people voting for a Democrat and 37% voting for a Republican.
  • Turnout among young voters was an impressive 19%.
  • Over 118,000 young voters turned out, comprising 12% of electorate.

 

The California Young Democrats is the official youth arm of the California Democratic Party, comprised of progressive people ages 14-35.  The California Young Democrats are committed to creating a bloc of young voters who will elect Democrats for an entire generation.  Using proven Peer to Peer campaign methods, Young Democrats have made significant differences in races all over California.  Young Democrats in California work everyday to promote social justice, women’s rights, peace and stability in the world, and many other progressive values.