Young voters were driven to the polls in 2008 by social media. And the Obama campaign masterfully created and orchestrated a tremendous turnout of an estimated 100,000 first time voters that year. But a Gallup poll on apathy among young voters suggests a lot of those young voters may just sit this election out.
"The under 25 crowd just isn't as interested in this election cycle," said Fred Lokken, political science professor at TMCC. "Clearly there have been efforts on both sides to engage that group which historically can be a very powerful group but they aren't as excited this time around."
In 2008 there's no doubt President Obama had those voters just where he wanted them.
"Then there was a feeling he didn't deliver in the 3 and a half years he had in office, which caused an apathy gap. And they wound up being disillusioned," Lokken said. "He just made promises that didn't come true, for whatever reason."
"I feel like Obama had a chance and failed," said Kessandra Grant, a student at TMCC. "So give (Mitt) Romney a chance rather than Obama for another four years."
"It's more complex than that," added Anthony Rissone another TMCC student. "It's not just give someone else a shot, it's not who failed and who didn't failed. There's a gridlocked Congress and no one can get much done."
While nationally apathy may keep young voters from the polls this election that's not that we found at TMCC. In fact, we found that not only do they plan to vote, some hope to make a real difference.
"I know we are in a swing state," said Dane McQuivey. "But hopefully I can help turn it into a blue state. I know my vote matters."
Lesson learned.
Written by Erin Breen
