Are Young People Less Likely To Vote?

I need everyone’s attention please if you are between the ages of 18 to 100 years old. WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM! You are registered to vote, but you don’t. What is that all about? Come on, do you know that young people are less likely to vote than older people. The Center of Voter and Democracy reported that young people are much less likely to vote than older ones. From 1972 to 2012, citizens 18-29 years old turned out to vote at a rate 15 to 20 points lower than citizens 30 years and older. Women voter turnout has surpassed men’s in every presidential election since 1980. REALLY GUYS?! But an interesting tidbit of information is that older women are actually less likely to vote than older men. So come on guys, get out there and vote.

Imagine being called to fight, kill and even die for your country, on the other hand not being allowed to vote. Throughout most of American history, 18-year-olds fought in our wars, nevertheless, had to be 21 to vote. Granted that changed in 1971 when President Nixon certified the 26th Amendment, lowering the voting age to 18. The words of President Nixon, "The reason I believe that your generation, the 11 million new voters, will do so much for America at home is that you will infuse into this nation some idealism, some courage, some stamina, some high moral purpose, that this country always needs.” Voting arguably may be the most important civic opportunity given to citizens in the United States. Today, registering to vote remains the basic right of passage for most high school seniors. Reviewing this chart one can see that youth turnout has steadily declined since 1972, when 50 percent of 18 to 24 year olds voted. By 1988, youth voter turnout plummeted to 36 percent. 46 million young people ages 18-29 years old are eligible to vote. Involving young people in election-related learning, activities and discussion can have an impact on the young person’s household, increasing the likelihood that others in the household will vote. In immigrant communities, young voters may be easier to reach, are more likely to speak English, and may be the most effective messengers within their communities. Also, there are major differences in voter turnout amongst youth subgroups, which may persist as these youth get older if the gaps are not reduced. A growing body of research shows that new voters who vote twice are considerably more likely to continue voting for life. The challenge,