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The Daily OrangePrimary coverage: election 2008 | As Super Tuesday approaches, young voters show an increased turn out in the polls, resulting in a new age of elections
By Stephanie Musat
Posted: 1/28/08, 10:56 PM EST Section: News
The youth interest in this election may be because of the current political climate, Faessen said.
"This election specifically deals with issues that young people care about," she said. She cited issues including the war in Iraq, paying for college, the economy and the environment as driving factors for voting.
Anchal Mirza, a Syracuse University freshman management major, said the current campaign issues affect the present and the future.
"I'm voting because these are issues that directly affect me, and I want to have a say in how the government deals with these problems," Mirza said.
A poll conducted by Sacred Heart University interviewed 400 people between the ages of 18 and 30 and found that 87 percent of those interviewed plan to vote in the upcoming election. Eighty-five percent said their vote counts, up from 75 percent in 2004. The poll also found the war in Iraq, healthcare, the economy and education were the major issues of this election.
"Change is a resounding theme in the 2008 campaign," said Gary Rose, professor and chair of the department of government and politics at SHU. "And voters between the ages of 18 to 30 appear drawn to the dynamism and messages of presidential candidates within both major parties."
The poll suggests that the 2008 presidential campaign is effectively capturing the imagination of young Americans, he said.
"More generally, the polling results indicate that the votes of this motivated generation will have direct bearing on the election of our next president and Congress," Rose said.
Danny Hayes, professor of political science at SU, said although many candidates are taking measures to ensure that they receive the youth vote, Republican candidates have not put as much effort into catering toward the younger voter demographic as Democrats.
"For the Democrats, (candidate Barack Obama) is receiving most support from young people because he put an effort into mobilizing young voters," Hayes said.
"This election specifically deals with issues that young people care about," she said. She cited issues including the war in Iraq, paying for college, the economy and the environment as driving factors for voting.
Anchal Mirza, a Syracuse University freshman management major, said the current campaign issues affect the present and the future.
"I'm voting because these are issues that directly affect me, and I want to have a say in how the government deals with these problems," Mirza said.
A poll conducted by Sacred Heart University interviewed 400 people between the ages of 18 and 30 and found that 87 percent of those interviewed plan to vote in the upcoming election. Eighty-five percent said their vote counts, up from 75 percent in 2004. The poll also found the war in Iraq, healthcare, the economy and education were the major issues of this election.
"Change is a resounding theme in the 2008 campaign," said Gary Rose, professor and chair of the department of government and politics at SHU. "And voters between the ages of 18 to 30 appear drawn to the dynamism and messages of presidential candidates within both major parties."
The poll suggests that the 2008 presidential campaign is effectively capturing the imagination of young Americans, he said.
"More generally, the polling results indicate that the votes of this motivated generation will have direct bearing on the election of our next president and Congress," Rose said.
Danny Hayes, professor of political science at SU, said although many candidates are taking measures to ensure that they receive the youth vote, Republican candidates have not put as much effort into catering toward the younger voter demographic as Democrats.
"For the Democrats, (candidate Barack Obama) is receiving most support from young people because he put an effort into mobilizing young voters," Hayes said.
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