Commonly called the Millennial Generation or Generation Y, young voters rival the Baby Boomers in size and are the most diverse generation in history.
• Millennials will be nearly 45 million strong in 2008.
• By 2015, this generation will make up one-third of the electorate.
• Voters ages 18-29 were 21% of the electorate (41.9 million) in 2006.
• 39% of Millennials identify as non-white, making them the most diverse generation in American history. Young Latinos account for the largest percentage of the population boom.
• The vast majority of young people are not in college; in fact, only an estimated 25% of 18-24 year-olds attend a four-year college full time.
We Are Engaged
The increase in young voter turnout is not a myth or “fuzzy math.” Young voters’ overwhelming preference for the Democratic Party is an ongoing trend, not a fluke.
• Young voter turnout tripled or even quadrupled in many primary states. Over 6.5 million young voters participated in the primary contests or caucuses this year, an increase of 103% over 2004.
• Sixty-nine percent of young people say they are likely to vote in this election and 49% say they are very likely to vote, according to a recent poll.
• In 2006, 10.8 million young voters went to the polls, up nearly two million from 2002.
• The 2004 elections marked the largest increase in young voter turnout since 1972. Over 20 million young people ages 18-29 cast a ballot (42 million were eligible to vote), an increase of 4.3 million voters. This was a nine point increase in turnout over 2000, more than double that of any other age group. In 2004, there were nearly as many voters under 30 years old than voters over 65 years old.
• In the 10 most competitive 2004 battleground states, turnout was 64.4% among young voters, compared to 48% across all other states. Like older voters, young people will turn out in higher numbers when targeted.
• Millennials volunteer in record numbers. They possess strong values and political opinions and connect volunteerism to social activism. And they will vote if asked.
We Are Democrats
Young voters are trending Democratic. Young people are identifying as Democrats, supporting the party’s issues, and casting ballots for Democratic candidates at the polls.
• Young people supported Democrats by a 2 to 1 margin and, of the 2.2 million new young voters this cycle, two million voted for a Democrat for president. More young Democrats cast a ballot than young Republicans in nearly every state this primary season – even in staunchly “red” states.
• Barack Obama wins among young voters by 27 points in a head-to-head matchup with John McCain, 60-33%. Obama runs strongly with every segment of the youth vote.
• John McCain has a net negative approval rating among young voters; 49% view him negatively with only 30% viewing him favorably. Additionally, 50% have a negative view of the Republican Party, and a whopping 69% view President Bush negatively.
• Democrats have a 19 point advantage in party identification. Nearly half of 18-29 year olds (47%) identify as Democrats, up from 40% in 2006. Just 28% identify as Republicans. Democrats also have a 25 point advantage on the generic congressional ballot, 52-27%.
• In 2006, young voters ages 18-29 supported Democratic candidates by an impressive 58%, six points higher than the voting-age population as a whole. Democrats made gains with young independents while Republicans lost ground with their young voters.
• Young people ages 18-30 were the ONLY age group to support the Democratic ticket in 2004. Kerry received 54% of the youth vote to Bush’s 44%. This is a significant gain over 2000, when Gore and Bush split the youth vote nearly evenly, 47%-46%.
• Young African-Americans, young Hispanics, and young women are particularly inclined to support Democrats, both on the generic ballot and when asked about specific candidates. Young independents, young white men, and even young evangelicals all favor Democrats.
• Young voters support Democrats on the issues. Young people are rejecting the failed policies of the Bush Administration and support Democrats on every key issue. The economy and the war in Iraq top the list of concerns among young voters.
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