The so-dubbed “youth vote” is always a big goal of elections. A lot of effort is pumped into turning out college age voters, and yet year after year they are among the lowest demographic to get to the polls. Two years ago it was a different story, as the Obama candidacy energized the young in a way we haven’t seen. This year, however, a lot of observers are already concluding that 2008 was an anomaly, and that we should all expect that turnout rate to slide back to its historic levels.
If that worries you, take a look at these pictures (after the flip) from the Green Vote Bomb at UVM a few days ago, in which over 200 students registered and gathered over 100 vote pledges and early ballots in a single day!
A lot of people are working very hard to keep those numbers up.
(If you haven’t yet, be sure you go to the online GOTV tool at votegreengov.org! Use the tool to find your green voting friends and neighbors and send them a personalized email urging them to vote!!)
The event was put on by VPIRG and VT LCV, and it was a blast. In my work with VPIRG (Field Director) I spend a lot of time behind a desk, and it was great to get back to our roots as a student organization. We’ll see on Tuesday how many students turn out and vote, but I’ve got to say the energy on campus was great. The students we talked to really are interested in getting involved in their democracy.
To be clear, VPIRG is nonpartisan, and we don’t support or oppose any candidates. Also, odum, I believe you meant to say “200 students registered”!
And I have heard informally that there has been quite an up-tick in Dem GOTV volunteers just in the past few days.