Saving the youth vote

“In 2004, 20.1 million 18 to 29 year olds voted, a 4.3 million increase over 2000. The additional turnout among the youngest voters was more than double that of any other age group,” said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD )during a press conference with the Student Association for Vote Empowerment (SAVE) and other members of Congress for student voting rights.

“If we can participate with that same dedication this year, the youth vote will effectively change the direction this country is headed.”

There have been concerns that there are too many barriers preventing students from voting. Several states require voters to apply in person for absentee ballots, a requirement that is difficult for students who live away from home. Other states have limited access to absentee ballots to only those who are ill, pregnant, or otherwise unable to reach polling stations.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) discussed his attempts to preserve voting rights in 2004.

“Four years ago I stood with my sister Stephanie Tubbs Jones in challenging the election at the electoral college because of voter suppression tactics that took place in Ohio,which included trying to suppress the rights of students to vote.”

Kucinich went on to explain that politicians had an obligation as well.

“It’s our responsibility to give young people something vote for. So we want to make sure that you know you have a chance to vote for peace, a chance to vote for a cleaner environment, for jobs, for educational opportunities.”

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) discussed the importance of the upcoming election, comparing it to the Lincoln-Douglass election.

“This to me…is probably as important as the presidential election of 1860. It will have that kind of an impact on this country and this country’s relationships around the world.”