Texas lags behind most of U.S. in youth voter turnout

[sonias]

Star-Telegram 1/10/08
Texas lags behind most of U.S. in youth voter turnout
By AMAN BATHEJA
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

While pundits debate the value of change vs. experience, "youth" may be the real buzz word of this election.

Voters under 30 broke records in Iowa and New Hampshire, coming to the polls in droves to pick the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees. In Iowa, support from young voters is credited with helping Illinois Sen. Barack Obama win the Democratic caucus last week.

"Suddenly it seems it's cool to count again," said Marc Morgenstern, head of Declare Yourself, a group devoted to increasing youth voter turnout.

(snip)
Texas has been immune to the trend. The rate of 18-24 year-olds that voted in 2004 in Texas was 39 percent, tied for second to worst showing with Tennessee, according to University of Maryland's Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement. The national average was 47 percent.

We're tied with Tennessee!! We're No 49&50! :bounce: :sarcasm:

Do you realize that means Mississippi beat us? That's more than sad.

Sonia

[sonias]

1. Register to Rock on Jan. 26 - Austin

From Texas Senator Kirk Watson's e-wire this morning.

Register to Rock on Jan. 26
Finally, I want you to mark Saturday, January 26 on your calendar. That day, I'll host what we're calling Register to Rock, a voter registration event at Stubb's Barbecue downtown.

Our goal is to sign up as many young voters as we can for the crucial 2008 election. These folks have as much riding on elections as any group of voters, because they will have to live in the future that elected officials create. We all need to do whatever we can to get them more involved in the political process.

You can check out the MySpace page now, and I'll have more information over the next couple of weeks. Suffice it to say that we've put together an impressive slate of young local bands that will be playing all afternoon. I hope to see you there.

In the meantime, Happy New Year. I think it's going to be a great one.

Kirk Watson

Register to Rock 2008 is a FREE ROCK EVENT at Stubb's in Austin TX. Saturday January 26th. Noon to 6:00 pm.

Hey! This is your country, so do something for it. Register to vote! and if you have, make sure your friends come down and register. Or just come down and rock out.

We are giving away 2 free passes to ACL FEST for those who register. Come join us!

www.DeclareYourself.com
www.RockTheVote.com

Feb 4th is the last day to register for the upcoming primary elections. Now that sounds like a great event and maybe the 2 tickets to ACL Fest will get some people out! :applause:

Sonia