Young voters proved to be a powerhouse that paid off for Barack Obama in Iowa where young people participated in record numbers. So, what’s the forecast for South Carolina’s young voters? USC Upstate Political Science Professor Tim Dale says it’s impossible to predict. "Young people are important to the campaigns, but they don't always show up,” says Dale.
Dale says in the past, South Carolina's young voter turn-out is about average compared to other states. Voter turn-out under thirty nationwide is typically ten to twenty percent.
Student Candace Lamb says she plans to make her voice heard. "I think our country needs to be in a better place. We need new leadership and the only way to get that is to vote,” says Lamb. When it comes to predictions about whether her generation will step up to the plate, she’s not so sure. Lamb says, "I don't think as many people are going to vote as we're hoping for."
Dale says, it does matter, "If they actually showed up to vote... They could really make a difference in this election."
Nationally, a November 2007 "Rock the Vote" survey found young people are increasingly engaged and positive when it comes to politics. More than 87% said they plan to vote in the November presidential election. The top issues that concern them are the war in Iraq, health care and the economy.
For the complete survey: http://www.youngvoterstrategies.org/index.php?tg=articles&idx=Articles&topics=37
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