Democrat pollster says 2014 will be record-low turnout among the youth

[davidn3600]

In a new episode of Political Wire's podcast, we spoke with Celinda Lake, the Democratic pollster for the George Washington University Battleground Poll. Lake shared her insights with us on the mood of the electorate and Democrats' turnout challenges as the 2014 midterms approach.

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4. Energizing young voters will be especially difficult for Democrats: Democrat Terry McAuliffe's campaign organization in the Virginia gubernatorial race was able to get Democratic-leaning single women to the polls in an off-year election, but not the crucial young-voter demographic that helped propel Democrats to the White House in 2008 and 2012. Young voters are discouraged about the state of the economy, the jobs market, and their education costs, Lake said: "I think we could see record-low turnout of young people, frankly." To help boost youth turnout, Democrats need the strong organization and digital operations that Obama's presidential campaigns had, and a greater focus on jobs than Democrats have right now. Democrats also need all the help they can get from voting inducements such as early voting and same-day registration, but Republican-controlled state governments have sought to roll back such initiatives. Another potential tool is ballot initiatives that concern issues that young people strongly care about, such as the minimum wage, student loans and marijuana legalization.

http://theweek.com/article/index/256214/why-the-2014-midterms-could-be-unlike-any-other

[Scuba]

1. "Not the Republican" just isn't that inspiring.

[spanone]

2. and energizing young voters won't be difficult for republicans? really?

naaaaaw

[dsc]

3. she isn't saying they will vote gop

she is saying they won't vote at all, and since the older folks have been tending to vote gop that is bad for us, because the older folks will be sure to vote.

[davidn3600]

4. The issue is that they will stay home and not vote at all

This is historically a very unreliable voting demographic. If they are not energized, they won't vote.

Obama was very good with these folks. The youth liked him in 2008 and 2012 and come out in big numbers. When Obama is not on the ballot, they haven't come out. The "lesser of two evils" isn't enough to energize these voters. If neither guy energizes them, they stay home.

[leftyohiolib]

5. you like they way things are? then dont vote

Young voters are discouraged about the state of the economy, the jobs market, and their education costs. they are? well then by all means just sit on your ass and wish for change maybe that'll help

[1000words]

6. My work exposes me to many 20-somethings

They are very disillusioned.

[tabbycat31]

7. Politicians need to start addressing youth issues

If Democrats want to turn out youth, address student loan debt.