Poli Sigh is a weekly column featuring a statistical analysis of issues in the upcoming election that matter to us as students, accompanied by the personal impact of these issues on the author as a Northwestern student.
After Wednesday’s presidential debate, polls show the gap between President Obama and Governor Mitt Romney is increasingly narrowing. Romney received positive reviews from critics on the left and right for his performance in Denver. As this race gets closer, it remains evident that the youth vote will be critical.
The millennials (eligible voters age 18-29) seem to understand the importance of their role in the election. On Wednesday, social media was a hub of activity. Twitter estimated there were over 10 million tweets about the debate, making it the most tweeted about event in the history of US politics. Voter registration groups have been appearing on campuses, focusing their efforts on registering first time voters. Northwestern certainly exemplifies this trend. NU Votes reports 94.4 percent of eligible freshmen are now registered to vote. Student political groups on campus have been mobilizing at rapid rates.
With the election less than a month away, it is important to look at some stats. Civic Youth reports that young people make up 24 percent of the eligible voting population. In 2008, 51 percent of eligible young people showed up to the polls, 66 percent of which voted for Obama. It is indisputable that these numbers were crucial in sealing a victory in 2008.
A study done by the Pew Research Center suggests that this will not be the case in 2012. Only 63 percent of surveyed young voters say they fully plan to vote in November, and only half are positive they are registered.
These statistics are disheartening for the Obama administration. A Pew study conducted in late September shows the President leading in youth favor polls by a significant margin.
The candidates are halfheartedly attempting to liven this lack of interest. At a rally at UW-Madison on Thursday, President Obama urged youth in the swing state to get to the polls. In August, Romney formed a Super PAC called Crossroads Generation that aims to use social media to engage younger voters, but has done little since.
Although candidates covered issues central to millennials at the debate, these topics did not take center stage and were often absorbed by larger issues, such as the economy and job creation.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released unemployment rates for the month of September. While unemployment is at a record low 7.8 percent, the rate for those under 30 is as high as 12 percent. Obama is busy patting himself on the back for this drop in unemployment, and Mitt Romney’s criticism of the President is now moot. Neither campaign is focusing on this second statistic, despite the fact that an unemployed younger population has severe consequences in the long term.
Obama still carries the youth vote, but Romney is not so far behind. Neither candidates have been focusing particularly on the issues of young people, but it may be worth re-examining as the election draws closer.
Hillary's take:
To me, it’s no surprise that young people have consistently been the most apathetic demographic. Not only are they not registered, some of those that are registered do not exercise their right to vote. I have peers who make umbrella statements about their hatred of politics, and have encountered unwillingness to participate on numerous occasions. I find this extremely upsetting.
Youth involvement seems to be a two way street. If young people demand and campaign for issues important to them, candidates will reciprocate. As exhibited in 2008, young people have the capability to shape not only the election but also the respective campaigns. It’s supply and demand, pure and simple.
I try my best to keep up my end of the bargain. This past month, I helped register students on campus with NU Votes. I have been working on campaigns since before I could vote, and have engaged in conversations with people along the way. Even writing this piece is allowing me to engage indirectly with anyone who happens to own a computer. I know better than to expect college students to drop everything and take up “the cause.” That being said, it is difficult to watch my intelligent, passionate peers opt out and remain disengaged. It’s easy to whine about the increasingly accumulating student loans or the fuss over Big Bird, but when it comes down to it, whining sees as few results as an empty promise made on the campaign trail.