Courtesy of CollegeStats.org
Are you registered to vote?
With the election 41 days away and voter registration deadlines are quickly approaching. Colleges and GOTV organizations are hard at work trying to register and inform potential voters.
Today is National Voter Registration day but what does that mean for the college voter?
Gallop poll results from July of this state that only
fifty-eight percent of U.S. registered voters aged 18 to 29 say they will “definitely vote” this fall, well below the current national average of 78%.
This suggests that there will be a lower turnout in this election than in 2008. But why? Casting a ballot is closely related to the same motivational factors that stimulate older voters, as well as to mobilization by the parties.
College students are concerned about the economy and the job market after graduation just as much as the rest of the nation. Plus, there will be an additional 16.8 million young people who will be eligible to vote in this election than in 2008.
A study by The Center For Information & Research on Civil Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) notes that “ young people who are enrolled in college are more likely to vote than the national youth average. College students are highly likely to turn out to vote if they are registered”.
Regardless of your political position, college is the time where you are free to develop your political identity and invest in learning about how we can more effectively govern our nation on a state and federal level. With all the rhetoric and confusion about Voter ID, healthcare and other issues, it is important to get the facts and register before state deadlines.
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