Reply #32: Turnout among 18-29 year-olds increased for the second major election in a row. [View All]

[Breeze54]

Youth Voters Opt for Democrats in 2006

http://www.civicyouth.org/quick/youth_voting.htm

CIRCLE releases a new fact sheet on Young Voters in the 2006 Elections.

* Turnout among 18-29 year-olds increased for the second major election in a row.

* Young adults voted for the Democratic candidate over the Republican candidate in races for
the House of Representatives (58% vs. 38%), the Senate (60% vs. 33%) and governor (55% vs. 34%).


Youth Voting Trends: Midterm Elections (Age 18-29)

In 2006, young people were more likely than adults 30 and older to identify as strictly
independents (26 percent vs. 18 percent) and less likely to identify as Republicans
(28 percent vs. 35 percent). Compared to 2002, somewhat more young adults are identifying
as independents (up 2 points) though slightly fewer identify as Democrats (down 1 point).

In 2004, 47% of 18-24 year old citizens voted, 66% of citizens 25 and older voted.

Single young people, particularly women, are more likely to vote than married young people.
The turnout among single women age 18-24 led the way and increased by 12 percentage points,
or about one third, since 2000.


In 2002, the three states with the highest level of youth voter turnout were
Minnesota (45 percent), South Dakota (36 percent), and Alaska (34 percent).

In contrast, the three states with the lowest voter turnout rates among young people
in 2002 were Delaware (15 percent), West Virginia (15 percent) and Arizona (14 percent.


http://www.civicyouth.org/quick/youth_voting.htm