Why are some groups pushing young people to vote?

Question

I don't understand why in every election there are groups out there trying to get young people to vote. If the young people want to vote they should, if they choose not to vote they shouldn't vote.

Why would anyone want to be pressured into casting a vote for something that the person is not interested in and not informed about. I voted for the first time in 2000 because I learned all about the candidates and issues and closely followed the race.

Just like I wouldn't vote for any of these awards shows where I didn't see the movies or know any of the people running, why should people that do not know the candidates or issues be expected to vote?

For example, on the yahoo election site there is a "declare yourself" page trying to get young people to vote. It doesn't offer much information about the candidates or issues. Only that its important they vote. I think its important that people not vote if they don't know what they're voting for.

Answer 1

I am 19, and I have voted every election I've been eligible to vote in (2). There is a difference between me and 80+% of the other people my age, however. I try to think out every argument I'm going to make a decision on. A large majority of people at this age simply parrot back what their parents, the media, or a teacher or the like have told them.

This, combined with the fact that political races are all about capturing "groups" (i.e. the gay vote, the black vote, the christian vote, the Asian-Jamaican left-handed typist vote, etc.), make the youth an especially delicious group. Think about it: hire Steve Jobs' advertising director to make a hip, cool, little ad with some fancy graphics and some token ethnicities participating in some multicultural activities, and then saying "Let's go vote!" (sponsoredbyjoepoliticianforpresident), and you've captured another 30 million votes. Not only are you getting a group, but you can pretty much dictate their votes as well. What a deal!

My personal standpoint on politics is this: I don't care what political camp you ally yourself with, or what stance you take on any issue, AS LONG AS you have carefully thought it out yourself. Hell, I've been caught parroting a couple of times, and I thank people for it, because it means I have to go research the subject before I make a fool of myself. But people seem afraid to look at their convictions under a microscope, because a large portion of the time they realize that they will see the fallacies in them. The way I see it is that reexamining your standpoint will either lead you closer to the truth (which should be the end goal of anything done in the life of an honest person) or strengthen your convictions even further.

Unfortunately, however, the wonderful thing about our "democracy" (it's closer to a republic, but that's beside the point) is that everybody is allowed to vote. Even the stupid people, even the people who disagree with you, even the people who just vote for the person with the best hair. The liberals, the right-wings jesus freaks, the communists, and the war mongerers are all allowed to voice their opinions. the KKK, the Black panthers, the crips and the bloods, the Jihadists, and the just plain crazies. Everybody can voice their opinion. Lets just hope that they actually research whatever opinion they have and that they make an informed, intelligent decision.

Justin

Answer 2

The Yahoo Elections page offers young people a TON of information about candidates and issues they find important. (Also check out YouTube's YouChoose '08 channel and MySpace's Impact Channel for additional election coverage.))

Declare Yourself is the national nonpartisan, nonprofit voter initiative aimed at registering America’s 18-year-olds to vote in the 2008 primaries and general election. DeclareYourself.com offers user news and information about the candidates and issues via Yahoo!, answers about registering and voting (in the FAQ), and an easy-to-use online registration tool.

Groups like Declare Yourself are encouraging young people to vote for several reasons:
· Research shows that getting a young person to register and vote at age 18 is the strongest predictor of lifelong voting behavior.
· In 2008, approximately four million 18-year-olds will be eligible to vote.
· Generation Y voters will be one-third of the electorate by 2015.

These groups are also making a difference!
· Young voters turned out in record numbers in 2004.
· In 2006, young people (18 – 29) increased their turnout by 2 million voters over the last midterm election.
· In 2004 & 2006, young people increased their turnout by a rate greater than the overall population.

Everyone has the right to vote and should make their voice heard.

Answer 3

Young Justin here just gave the most eloquent answer one could ever hope for. Young man, you give me hope for the future.

I disagree with the premise that everyone under the age of 25 is a bubble head. I work on a college campus and I am terribly impressed with how intelligent and thoughtful some of these young people truly are. I'm impressed with the level of social consciousness some of these kids have and I'm very proud of them.

We should encourage everyone to vote because they can. It doesn't get much simpler than that. I live in a community where the 70+ crowd have ruled and accomplished nothing for a very long time. Wrestling the death grip they have on everything from their hands in the last two years has yielded some pretty impressive results. We have a group of forward thinking young people who are hell-bent in creating a better way of life for every single person in our community and you would think they were responsible for 9/11 the way they are talked about in our little town. These kids are the heroes and they make me proud! Looking forward to the next election when they clearly are in the lead to take over.

Answer 4

Because eligible citizens between 18 and 25 years of age have the lowest percentage of turnout at the polls. Since the majority of them are voluntarily disenfranchised, there is no way for the "professional" campaign types to track their voting histories, etc. That makes them the great unknown factor in any future election. H. Ross Perot, in his run for the Presidency in 1992 got a lot of support from folks who had not been inside a voting booth in years. Some had never voted in their entire lives. The voluntarily disenfranchised are the real nightmare for the established parties. Any group which can reach them, excite them and get them to the polls will turn things upside down in elective politics.

Answer 5

If young people are ignorant about how their government works, they will have no idea about the laws being passed that have a direct effect on them; like college loans.

By making registering to vote and all of this information on the issues and candidates easier to access more young people will be better informed and more likely to vote.

I personally find it sad that people need to do these things online. All you need to do is go to town hall to register to vote. It takes 5 minutes. All the information you need on candidates is on TV and in the newspaper. Its not hard to come by, people are just too lazy.

I suggest teaching children about government even younger than they do now. Teach them about how their government works and they be more apt to participate at the polls in the government itself!

I'll be voting in my first presidential election 2008. I can't wait to cast my ballot.

Answer 6

Sadly, yes the youth will vote for Obama. It just will show their lack of government. They think this is American Idol and casting a vote for talent. Our youth was raised without their parents around due to making ends meet. The youth don't respect their parents; they have sex with anything that has legs; and they will truly regret it when they are in their 40s. In ways, if America elects Obama for President.... America will get what it deserves in the long run.

Answer 7

Just trying to get school children to run the country.
While they keep on climbing up the coconut trees and still look green.
The older one must be getting tired in chasing the flock of lost sheeps wandering lost in the fields with two empty hands without the wooden staff.

Answer 8

it can only help the country having more people active in our election system, they think they will get the kids to vote for them and rely on them for the way to vote

Answer 9

Thousands of Americans gave there lives so you have the right to vote. USE that right.

Answer 10

It's a mystery to me. Young people <25, are usually too ignorant and self serving to make a meaningful difference in this country unless it's through the Military.

It's bad enough women can vote now we want young people too?? This country is going to hell in a handbasket.

BTW, you can blame ipods, Xboxes and text messaging for making young people twice as dumb.