Young Voter Turnout and the AZ-05 Race

On Saturday I joined my Young Dem friends at the Young Democrats of Arizona Organizing Convention. We discussed youth voter turnout in past elections and trends for this year. If 2004 was any indication, this year we should expect a big turnout for young people (ages 18-3o). There were nearly 4.6 million new young voters last cycle, close to a 10% increase from 2002. Young voters also backed Kerry over Bush, 54% to 44%.

The main focus of the convention was on getting young people out to vote. Historically, the conventional wisdom has been that young people are lazy and apathetic. Working with the people at the Convention, I know that the CW is dead wrong. I was very encouraged by the number of dedicated young people who participated at the Convention. We are not a group of kids obsessed with iPods and Laguna Beach. We are dead serious about politics and we want to win. Very badly.

Young people care about what is going on in the world. I don't think lazy or apathetic is a fair label for my generation. However, I will admit that we can be a cynical and skeptical bunch. That's what turns most young people off, I think. They see a system full of corruption and dirty dealings, run by schmucks. And, unfortunately, they think that corruption and incompetance pervades both parties. As one ASU student said to me the other day, "They are all the same, the system can't continue without corruption and corrupt bastards." The only way for that to change is to get out and vote. Corrupt bastards like J.D. Hayworth don't need to be there nor do they deserve to represent us. People listen to their peers, and if enough people scream "VOTE!", the more people will vote.

I learned that statistically it usually takes seven times for a voter to hear from a campaign or group to be motivated enough to not only vote, but support your candidate or goal. That is a lot of phone-banking, a lot of canvassing, and a lot of hard work. It can be done, and I know from working with the Young Democrats that there is a group of hard working activists that will do everything they can to get those young voters to the polls.

Young voters will be instrumental for Harry Mitchell in CD 5. And students couldn't ask for a better candidate in Harry. For J.D. Hayworth, who voted for slashed education budgets, to criticize Harry Mitchell of not being a friend to students, young people, and children, he ought to do better than cite the Goldwater Institute's report cards. There is no need to go over Harry's education record again. He will be there for young people, especially students. Period. All of J.D.'s blowhardiness cannot undo 30 years of work and principle.

The youth vote helped Janet Napolitano into the governor's seat. They helped John Kerry take District 17 in Tempe by almost nine points. They can help Harry Mitchell in to Congress.

If you're a Democrat under 35, get involved with your local Young Dems chapter. They are constantly busy with phone-banking and canvassing. And, of course, you can directly help Harry Mitchell and other local candidates. The important thing is that in the two months before the election we reach as many people as possible. And remember, we have to reach them all seven times. Get out there, help drive up the vote, talk to friends and family. You know the drill.

Harry Mitchell for Congress
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