2008 Woodie Awards
MTV uses its channel as a way to encourage the youth to vote
Erika Grados & Christine Catarino
Issue date: 10/7/04 Section: News
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In today's pop-saturated society, even MTV recognizes its strong influence on 20 million young American voters.
In the past, the nation's youth shied away from the polls more than any other age group. In fact, half of this population will be voting for the first time in November, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. This includes 22 percent of 25- to 30-year-olds who were old enough to vote in the last election.
Three-quarters of this polled age bracket said that they think November's election is the most important of their lifetime. As a result, more young voters are registering to vote than in recent election years. Eight in ten of those registered say they plan to vote.
Lee Miringoff, director of Marist College Institute for Public Opinion and political science professor, said the projections of young voter turnout for this election are promising.
"There is definitely the potential for reversal of trends this year," Miringoff said.
In light of controversial issues like Watergate and Vietnam, typical campaigns in the past emphasized issues to which the public could not relate, according to Miringoff, which is why many did not vote.
"Issues are what drive people to the polls," Miringoff said.
One issue that may drive more young voters to the polls is the lingering threat of reinstatement of the draft. According to a recent New York Times article, Congress called for a 20,000 soldier expansion of the army.
Daniel Capelan, Marist undergraduate, said he is greatly motivated to vote by this issue.
"I definitely think that this election is more important in young people's eyes because of issues like the draft," he said.
Since the Bush administration is associated with the ongoing war on terror, a controversial topic among the young voting population, it is not surprising that this group favors Kerry.
According to a survey conducted by CBS News on behalf of MTV and the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, Kerry is favored over Bush 46 to 40 percent among 18- to 30-year-olds.
In the past, the nation's youth shied away from the polls more than any other age group. In fact, half of this population will be voting for the first time in November, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. This includes 22 percent of 25- to 30-year-olds who were old enough to vote in the last election.
Three-quarters of this polled age bracket said that they think November's election is the most important of their lifetime. As a result, more young voters are registering to vote than in recent election years. Eight in ten of those registered say they plan to vote.
Lee Miringoff, director of Marist College Institute for Public Opinion and political science professor, said the projections of young voter turnout for this election are promising.
"There is definitely the potential for reversal of trends this year," Miringoff said.
In light of controversial issues like Watergate and Vietnam, typical campaigns in the past emphasized issues to which the public could not relate, according to Miringoff, which is why many did not vote.
"Issues are what drive people to the polls," Miringoff said.
One issue that may drive more young voters to the polls is the lingering threat of reinstatement of the draft. According to a recent New York Times article, Congress called for a 20,000 soldier expansion of the army.
Daniel Capelan, Marist undergraduate, said he is greatly motivated to vote by this issue.
"I definitely think that this election is more important in young people's eyes because of issues like the draft," he said.
Since the Bush administration is associated with the ongoing war on terror, a controversial topic among the young voting population, it is not surprising that this group favors Kerry.
According to a survey conducted by CBS News on behalf of MTV and the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, Kerry is favored over Bush 46 to 40 percent among 18- to 30-year-olds.