January 27, 2008

South Carolina: Young Voter Turn Out Triples

Posted by Ally Klimkoski at 6:39AM

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Obama may have won South Carolina, but once again the real winners of last night's success were young voters.

"This increase in youth turnout in the early primary season continues a trend observed in other elections since 2000. In the 2006 congressional elections, the voter turnout rate among 18-to 29-year-olds increased by three percentage points compared to the previous congressional election of 2002. And in the 2004 presidential election, the national youth voter turnout rate rose 9 percentage points compared to 2000, reaching 49 percent. In 2004, under-30-year-olds were registered to vote at the highest rate in 30 years, " our friends over at CIRCLE noted.

For a breakdown of who young people voted for -- check out this nifty chart:

Election Day was insane. Polling places in Columbia's high youth city were packed to the brim with students of over 60 Universities in that town. There were people on street corners with huge signs for their favorite candidates. People were honking like crazy. It was unbelievable.

This served as a day for voters. Most candidates mingled around throughout the day. I think Obama had lunch down in 5 Points in Columbia. I say this because there were dark cars and a sheriff's car -- not to mention a bunch of guys in suits standing around looking casual (secret service). Edwards visited a few polling locations and thanked supporters. Clinton spent the day traveling in other states, eager to move on to February 5th.

The media was wonderful. We saw more reporters and camera people in bars and restaurants drinking and eating. Seemingly grateful for a touch of a day off. The international media are the best. They tend to wonder around in large groups thanking people and smiling a lot.

That evening we attended the Edwards Rally. We were at the front row, hugging the ropeline -- all of us speculating on where Edwards was going to enter from. We made friends with all of the people around us, and each person we met had been impacted by the closing of major businesses in their towns that took away their jobs. We met Amanda and Trevor, a younger couple probably in their 30's who had gone to USC and now live in a small town outside of Columbia. Amanda talked about the small town hardware stores and grocery stores that all fell to the giant corporate takeover of The WalMart. All liked Edwards because of his populist message.

The Kansas City Star has a great piece today that talks about young voters in SC's primary

"Young voters have been a potent force for Obama, and Saturday's primary was no different.

Obama got solid majorities among voters who were 18 to 24 years old, 25 to 29 years old and those 30 to 39 years old.

"I like all of his ideas," said Brooke Perkins, a 20-year-old political science student at the University of South Carolina. "I know they are a little far-fetched, but I think it's good to think big."

Perkins and her sister, 24-year-old Hillary Perkins, share a last name, a university and a major -- but not a presidential preference.

"I voted for Hillary Clinton," Hillary Perkins said. "And, no, my name had nothing to do with it."

Hillary Perkins said Clinton's experience and health care plan won her over.

Her sister, however, said she doesn't like Hillary Clinton's style.

"Hillary's been a little too catty lately," Brooke Perkins said. "That's turned me off."

Cate Edwards spoke with us after the rally as a few people puttered around taking advantage of the cheese platter and cheap drinks.

"This is a great election for us," she said about young voters. "I remember in 2004 they were more concerned with the war and those were the questions I got the most. This year young people want specific details. I went to a forum where I spent the entire hour talking about the differences in all of the candidates' health care plans. Young voters are educated on the issues and they care about the issues. It's encouraging!"

Our focus now turns to Florida where some speculate that we are going to make up a big part of the elections as well. Despite the fact that democratic candidates are not allowed to campaign there, enthusiasm for all of the candidates runs high. Florida news says the demographics are quickly changing:

"The face of Florida's pivotal voter is changing from that of a golf-playing retiree to one of an involved youth as a nationwide election trend gains momentum in the Sunshine State.

"We've been seeing that in Florida for several voting cycles," said Susan McManus, a distinguished professor of state and local politics at the University of South Florida in Tampa. "I've seen more interest on our college campuses than in many recent years."

What soccer moms were to the 1992 presidential race, young voters are to the 2008 elections."