Democrats Making the “Year of the Young Voter” Real in California

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Becca Doten
Political Director
California Young Democrats

This weekend Democrats of all ages converged on the San Jose convention center to listen to speakers and panels, participate in trainings and conduct Party business. Throughout the weekend there was a special buzz of excitement – that of the Young Democrats who were a part of this important convention.

You might have caught us wearing red CYD t-shirts or stickers with the phrase, "Year of the Young Voter" and the Chinese character for young, or seen us at the Assembly District Endorsement Caucuses or on the Convention floor. But no matter where you were, you'd be sure to see these young activists participating and engaging in the process. This year, more than ever, is a year that young people are getting involved in the political process. Not just as voters, but as active members of the Democratic Party.

It's important not to discount how critical it is that we're seeing this increase in young voter turnout and activism for the Democratic Party, because when young voters vote, the chances are they're going to vote for the Democrat – and this cuts across gender and race differences. This can't be said about any other age group. In 2008, 47% of young voters self-identify as Democrats and only 28% self-identify as Republicans – and the 47% who identify as Democrats is up from 40% in 2004, a year that young people ages 18-30 were the only age group to support the Democratic ticket for President.

One just has to look at the Super Tuesday numbers to see the increased impact of young voters on the Democratic Party. Nationally more than three million young voters cast a vote or caucused, with over two million votes cast for a Democratic candidate compared to only 900,000 for Republicans. Additionally, nearly every Super Tuesday state saw a dramatic increase in young voter turnout, with some states seeing turnout triple or even quadruple over past years.

This engagement can be attributed to a couple of factors – the first being the disgust for the current administration and the lack of a national agenda that speaks to our needs. Young people look around and wonder how we're ever going to own a home, worry that the worsening economy is going to mean we won't be able to find a job, and we are forced to go without health care because it's too expensive. And it's young people who have to watch our friends and peers go to Iraq for a senseless war and – if they're lucky enough to come back – many of our generation will spend the rest of their lives with physical or mental injuries because of the war. Seeing how poorly the country is responding to our needs, many young people naturally turn away from the status quo. But turning away is not enough – because young people need to know that there is a Party that we can join that speaks to our issues.