Young Voters, Engaged and Online-or, Fired Up!

[babylonsister]

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/06/16/young_voters_engaged_and_onlin.html

Young Voters, Engaged and Online

By Jose Antonio Vargas

snip//

"This primary season the Millennials have gone to the polls in record numbers, showing they are an influential voting bloc in American politics," said Levine. "They realize what's at stake and the impact this election will have on their future and the
future of our country."

"All key indicators and trends point to a predicted record turnout of young people voting this coming November," he continued.

The latest national survey from the Pew Internet & American Life Project of Web behavior show that more and more young voters flock online to inform and engage themselves about the campaign.

While the Pew survey found that 46 percent of all Americans have used the Internet, e-mail or cell phone text messaging to get news about the race, share their opinions and help mobilize others, young voters were among the most active and intense online users. They watch and make online videos and use social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace to read news and get involved. Pew found that two-thirds of online users under 30 have a social networking profile.

CIRCLE and PEW's studies also found that Sen. Barack Obama had the edge with these net-savvy young voters. Obama was "the clear choice" among young Democrats, winning 60 percent of young voters and a majority in 32 primary and caucus states, CIRCLE said. Pew found that among all demographic groups using the Internet, young voters are "helping to define the online political debate," with Obama supporters outpacing those who backed both Sen. John McCain and Sen. Hillary Clinton in their use of online videos, social networking sites and online campaign activities.

More than a year ago, when the Facebook group "Students for Barack Obama" was created by Bowdoin College student Meredith Segal, political pundits and online observers wondered what impact such online groups would have in the primary race.

It's no longer an open question.

[grace0418]

1. Cool! I just wrote this on another thread but I have to repeat it. Go to Urban Outfitters.

I was there the other day and it was FULL of Obama stuff. He has the youth vote, that's for sure.