The Youth Vote and Why You Should Care.

I was MIA last week, in case you noticed, attending the Young Democrats of America National Convention in Dallas, TX.  YDA holds its convention every two years and unfortunately I was unable to attend the one in 2005 in San Francisco, CA so I was thrilled to be able to represent my state as a delegate for the 2007 convention. 

The convention had over 500 people from 42 states and territories in attendance.  Not too shabby if you asked me.  We attracted speakers such at Jim Stoltz (founder of votevets.org), General Wesley Clark, Congresswoman Shelia Jackson-Lee, and Senator John Edwards.  Lots a people gave us the accolades of being the future of the Democratic Party, and we appreciated the acknowledgment that we do matter in the party.  For a long time, there has been a strain between the Young Dems and what is commonly referred to as the Senior Party.  Personally I think the tension is stupid, but it exists none the less.  I find that there is some animosity among Senior Party officials toward the YD’s, but they are rare and generally speaking they aren’t the most well-liked members of the party.  On the local level, I’ve found the Senior Party officials to be quite welcoming to YD’s.  My own Senior Party Committee offers a seat on the Executive Board to a YD representative and we work very well together on issues of the Democratic Party.   Because in the end, we all care about the same thing, and that thing is getting Democrats elected. 

But, things are not perfect.  I take specific issue with the notion that Young Dems are the future of the party, when in fact, we are the present.   In 2004 nearly 20 million people voted who were between the ages of 18-29.  This was a 9 point increase in youth vote over 2000 and more people under 35 voted than over 65.  Also in 2004, in the 10 most competitive battleground states, turnout was 64.4% among young voters, compared to 48% across all other states.  It proves that is we are targeted; we will turn out just as senior citizens are. 

We are also growing.  Young voters make up 21% of the electorate (about 41.9 million).  In 2008 the Millennials (that’s us) will be nearly 50 million.  In 2015, we’ll make up 1/3 of the electorate.  Right now there are as many Millennials as there are Baby-Boomers. 

We also vote Democratic.  If only people under 35 had voted in 2004, John Kerry would be President.  In 2006, youth voted 58% in favor of Democrats 6 points higher than the voting-age population as a whole.  Democrats picked up young independents and Republicans lost young voters to us.  According to a recent study by the Harvard Institute of Politics, increased turnout in college towns in VA (Charlottesville and Norfolk specifically), made a huge difference in Jim Webb’s victory of George Allen.

So, I’ve just thrown a bunch of statistics at you, what is my point?  The point is, we vote, if motivated, and we vote for Democrats. 

Here’s my other beef with the party, they think we only care about youth related issues.  I was recently at a candidates’ forum being held at a Young Dems group.  One person asked the candidates what issues they feel are most important to Young Voters.  The candidates all gave different answers, education, transportation; one guy said lowering the drinking age… it was kind of pathetic.  The truth is, we care about the same issues that everyone else did.  We, the Young Democrats, are already tuned in, we care about all the issues, the Iraq war, Social Security, Taxes, Education, Health Care… they are all important to us.  Sure, since I’m broke and a long time away from collecting Social Security or Medicare, they aren’t the most pressing issues of my life, but they are no less important than my concerns for College Affordability and Affordable Housing. 

As we grow as a voting block, and we are one, I hope politicians, electeds, and candidates a like will start taking YD’s seriously and invite us to the table.  For while I find cohesion between local YD and Senior parties, the National party leaves much to be desired. 

So in the Words of YDA: 

I’m Young: And Will Swing the Vote

I’m A Democrat: And My Vote Will Be Counted

I’m Voting: And My Voice Will Be Heard.