For Immediate Release:
January 30, 2007
Contact:
Sujatha Jahagirdar, (323) 309 6120 (cell)
Surge in youth vote continues despite uncontested Democratic primary
Young Voter Turnout More Than Triples in Sunshine State
Youth vote surges seen in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina continued into the Sunshine State last night, with young voter turnout more than tripling over 2000 levels.
“From Des Moines to Columbia, Manchester to Tampa, the voice of young voters is echoing across the country,” said Sujatha Jahagirdar, Program Director with Florida PIRG and the Student PIRGs’ New Voters Project.
Number of Primary Participants
Aged 18-29
Democrats Republican
2008 151,595 134,425
2000 38,639 41,970
Increased youth turnout seen this election season is in part attributed to efforts by youth organizers to convince presidential candidates to engage young people directly in the issues we care about.
Since the spring of 2007, young volunteers with the What’s Your Plan? campaign in Florida and across the nation have been reaching out to all the Presidential candidates to convince the contenders to engage young people directly in the issues we care about. In November, 15,000 young voters –including young Floridians – signed a petition to the candidates asking, What’s Your Plan? To address financial security for all Americans; To stop global warming; To make a college education affordable; To provide effective affordable healthcare.
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Florida PIRG takes on powerful interests on behalf of Florida's citizens, working to win concrete results for our health and our well-being. With a strong network of researchers, advocates, organizers and students across the state, we stand up to powerful special interests on issues to stop identity theft, fight political corruption, provide safe and affordable prescription drugs, and strengthen voting rights.
