Rock the Vote youth vote fact sheet

There are major misconceptions about the power, presence and

importance of young people in the political process.

Young people vote in huge numbers - almost 18 million went to the polls in 2000.

* In almost every presidential election since 1976, over 20 million young people aged 18 to 30 have turned out to vote on Election Day. [U.S. Census, 1976-2000]

* In 1996 and 2000, when that number dipped to just under 18 million - young people still made up almost 16% of the total voting population. [U.S. Census, 1996-2000]

Young people plan to turn out and vote in huge numbers in 2004 - more so than in

recent elections.

* Research shows that more young people say they plan to vote next fall than at any time during the 1996 and 2000 elections. In October 2003, 39% of 17-24 year olds say they are "absolutely certain" they will vote in 2004 - that's 30% higher than its highest point in 1999. [MTV Research, unpublished, 2003]

* In a survey of college undergraduates by Harvard, 83% say they will "definitely" or "probably" vote in 2004. [Harvard IOP research, 4/04]

Young voters demonstrated their involvement by turning out in increased numbers

during the 2004 primaries.

* Young voter turnout increased almost 60 % in New Hampshire's Democratic primary. According to exit polls, 30,700 young voters turned out in the 2004 primary as compared to 19,200 in 2000. [Exit Polls]

* Four times as many 18 to 24 year olds turned out in the 2004 Iowa caucus than the 2000 caucus. [Exit Polls]

* Increases in turnout were also seen in the Delaware, Oklahoma, Georgia, Maryland, Ohio, Massachusetts and Vermont Primaries. [Exit Polls]

Young peoples' votes are up for grabs -favoring neither Democrats nor Republicans in

any appreciable way.

* In 2000, voters under 30 were evenly split between Bush and Gore. Four years ago, 48% voted for Gore and 46% voted for Bush. [Voter News Service Survey, 2000]

* Currently, among college undergraduates specifically, the split is evident. 34% say they'd vote for Bush, 32% for a Democratic candidate, and 26% were undecided. 38% identify themselves as Independent/Undecided, 31 % as Republicans; and 27% as Democrats. [Harvard IOP study, 10/03]

Candidates, campaigns and parties recognize the importance of young people and are

addressing them this election.

* On November 4 th , 2003 the first ever youth debate in the Democratic primary was hosted by Rock the Vote and CNN. ["America Rocks the Vote," CNN, 11/4/03]

* The College Republican National Committee, a group that mobilizes students to campaign, has tripled its membership since 1999 to an all-time high of 1,148 chapters. [New York Times, 5/25/03]

* The Republican National Committee's "Reggie the Registration Rig" will be stopping at college campuses throughout 2004 as part of an effort to register three million voters by election day. [www.gop.com]

* John Kerry's "Change Starts with U: Kerry Campus Tour 2004" will be touring campuses around the country until November 2, joined by the celebrities, entertainers and fellow high-profile Democrats. [www.johnkerry.com]

The rise of web communities encouraging youth voter participation is an example of the growing youth vote movement.

* Check out www.rockthevote.com, www.newvoterpropect.org, and many more.