Surge in young people registering to vote in Virginia

By J.R. Hoeft

So, the Pilot asks today if the 10% growth in voters registering since last year from the over-hyped 18-25 demographic will translate to votes?

In a word: no.

But you have to get to the end of the article for the answer.

Nationally, turnout among young voters has been below 50 percent in every presidential election since 1972 – the first time 18- to 20-year-olds could vote. In 2004, 47 percent of registered 18- to 24-year-olds voted, compared with 66 percent of registered voters older than 24.

If McGovern couldn’t turn-out the youth vote in 1972, the first year 18-year-olds could vote, then it isn’t going to happen in 2008.

Now, a lot of the article is a testimony to Obama’s appeal to young voters. But don’t count McCain out yet.

“I think both of these candidates are not your typical candidates,” [Zach Pilchen, a William and Mary Student who is working for "Rock the Vote"] said. “It’s on both sides – not just Obama, who certainly has a lot of youth appeal.”

McCain’s reputation as an independent voice who often co-sponsors legislation with Democrats appeals to young voters, Pilchen said.

State Del. Jeff Frederick, R-Prince William County, the 32-year-old chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, agreed.

“Just because you’re 71 years old doesn’t mean you can’t relate to someone who’s younger,” he said.

Enthusiasm among young voters is no different this year than during any other presidential election, said Frederick, who predicts young voters will have the same influence as they did four years ago.