Voting Stereotypes
2008 and 2012 Presidential Elections Stimulated Interest Among Young Adults
Voting is undeniably one of the most central civic opportunities that have been given to citizens of the United States of America. The importance of voting cannot be stressed enough as it is the cornerstone of democracy in the country. In the past, almost three decades, the people inclined to vote have been unduly of older age, higher income and more partisan in their welfares and interests. The gap between older voters and younger voters has always been large with more youth disinclined to voting and participating in any political activities. However, recently the gap has been narrowing; the 2008 and 2012 elections are something to go by. These two elections stimulated
interest among young adults in the country’s political system. This is contrary to the trend from previous election cycles since the 1970s that often reveal the lack of interest in voting and a low voter turnout among people less than 30 years of age in comparison to older citizens of 60 and above. It is imperative to consider the reasons for this shift in light of projections that predict the future decline of this participation among youth.
Possible Reasons for Overall Decline
Various reasons could lead to a drop in citizenship and voter turnout among adults under the age of 30. However, before embarking on data and factors that could advance the overall decline in citizenship and low voter turnout, it is important to consider the definition of voter turnout. It is referred to the total number of citizens that vote in an election compared to the actual number of eligible voters in the country. For instance, if the number of eligible voters is 100 and only 20 vote, the turnout is low compared to 80 out of 100 people voting which implies a high turnout. According to Roberts (3), in America especially in regard to youngest voters, the engagement has moved towards less engagement with time. Statistics observe that 18 to 24-y
Voting is undeniably one of the most central civic opportunities that have been given to citizens of the United States of America. The importance of voting cannot be stressed enough as it is the cornerstone of democracy in the country. In the past, almost three decades, the people inclined to vote have been unduly of older age, higher income and more partisan in their welfares and interests. The gap between older voters and younger voters has always been large with more youth disinclined to voting and participating in any political activities. However, recently the gap has been narrowing; the 2008 and 2012 elections are something to go by. These two elections stimulated
interest among young adults in the country’s political system. This is contrary to the trend from previous election cycles since the 1970s that often reveal the lack of interest in voting and a low voter turnout among people less than 30 years of age in comparison to older citizens of 60 and above. It is imperative to consider the reasons for this shift in light of projections that predict the future decline of this participation among youth.
Possible Reasons for Overall Decline
Various reasons could lead to a drop in citizenship and voter turnout among adults under the age of 30. However, before embarking on data and factors that could advance the overall decline in citizenship and low voter turnout, it is important to consider the definition of voter turnout. It is referred to the total number of citizens that vote in an election compared to the actual number of eligible voters in the country. For instance, if the number of eligible voters is 100 and only 20 vote, the turnout is low compared to 80 out of 100 people voting which implies a high turnout. According to Roberts (3), in America especially in regard to youngest voters, the engagement has moved towards less engagement with time. Statistics observe that 18 to 24-y