Gaining 20 million votes

This election year there are several organizations out to get young people 18-30 to vote. Voting in this election is critical as it is in every election but the war in Iraq, the economy and education are in the forefront of this election and of great concern to young people who are either facing a war, lack of jobs after college and funding their education. These issues are of great concern to 20 million voters who are 18-30 years old. Top national polls, including those sponsored by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), Harris Interactive, Harvard University's Institute of Politics, MTV's Choose or Lose and the Pew Research Center have gathered information to help candidates address this neglected part of the voting population.

Various groups from the World Wrestling Entertainment, to the Hip-Hop Summit and the League of Women Voters along with other prominent strategic partners have joined together to form "Smackdown Your Vote," campaign to encourage young people to vote. They have developed a 18-30 VIP as a tool to improve the dialogue between 18-30 voters and candidates for elected office and their political parties.

The New Voters Project, based out of George Washington University gathers information on young voters. For over two decades, young people have been turning out to vote in declining numbers. Less than half of eligible young people between the ages of 18 and 24 voted in recent national elections (36.1% in 2000). These are substantially lower participation rates than that of older voters (+/- 70%). Surveys consistently report that young people are unconvinced that voting is an effective tool to better their communities. Since the strength of a democracy is measured by the participation of its citizens, particularly the participation of its younger citizens, this trend points to a troubling future for America's democracy.

Those of you who vote should encourage young people to vote in this election.

Youth Noise is a web site sponsored by the "Save the Children Federation" gives the top 10 reasons why young people should vote:

10. So you can complain.

If you are eligible to vote, but choose not to, we don't have to listen to your whining!

9. It's your right. Young people, women and underrepresented groups all fought hard for the right to vote. And even today there are countries where people are still dying for the right to vote.

8. Representation. Does it seem as if politicians are a bunch of old white males? Well, in Congress only 13 percent of members are of color, and only 14 percent are women. Want to change it? Vote.

7. NOISEmaker thinks that you should, "vote for someone you trust - who cares about what 'party' they are in?"

6. Fashion. You get to wear an "I Voted" sticker - definitely fashionable.

5. More federal money… for youth programs, the environment, HIV/AIDS or breast cancer research…whatever your cause!

4. To cancel out someone else's vote. Whether it's your Dad, your Mom, your teacher, or your soccer coach - you probably know someone who is going to vote the opposite of you.

3. To bust the stereotype! "Young people are lazy, they don't care, they won't vote." That's what they say. Let's prove them wrong.

2. If you don't vote, someone else will. Our government was designed for citizen participation, so if you don't vote - other people are going to make the decisions for you.

1. Every vote counts. The 2000 Presidential election proved how close things can get, so really every vote counts.