2008 Woodie Awards
Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 1/16/08 Section: News
Iowa or Bust
Youth interest, participation in politics on the rise this election season
Colin Kavanaugh
For Huckabee, "it's young, evangelical Christians" who made the difference in Iowa, he said.
In an election where the word "change" has become commonplace, it is still a resonating factor in many young voters' decisions to volunteer and vote.
"It is the idea of change that has become the mantra," said Randall Miller, a political analyst and St. Joseph's University history professor.
Abby Huntsman, a College senior and the chairwoman of the College Republicans, said young people are also increasingly interested in working with those in the position to create change.
"As I get older, I realize I'm about to step into the real world, and it makes you realize that these politicians have a huge influence on our world," she said.
As candidates prepare for "Super Tuesday", when 22 states will vote, the belief of some analysts is that activism among young voters will decline.
Many of those states restrict primary-day registration, which could make it more difficult for students to vote.
"The more stringent the rules, the more difficult it will get" for students to play a critical role, Johnston said.
But Penn students say youth enthusiasm is still likely.
"Students were not apathetic," Ahlgren said. "There was a lot of energy, and seeing them get out to vote was the most important thing."
In an election where the word "change" has become commonplace, it is still a resonating factor in many young voters' decisions to volunteer and vote.
"It is the idea of change that has become the mantra," said Randall Miller, a political analyst and St. Joseph's University history professor.
Abby Huntsman, a College senior and the chairwoman of the College Republicans, said young people are also increasingly interested in working with those in the position to create change.
"As I get older, I realize I'm about to step into the real world, and it makes you realize that these politicians have a huge influence on our world," she said.
As candidates prepare for "Super Tuesday", when 22 states will vote, the belief of some analysts is that activism among young voters will decline.
Many of those states restrict primary-day registration, which could make it more difficult for students to vote.
"The more stringent the rules, the more difficult it will get" for students to play a critical role, Johnston said.
But Penn students say youth enthusiasm is still likely.
"Students were not apathetic," Ahlgren said. "There was a lot of energy, and seeing them get out to vote was the most important thing."
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