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Young People and
Voting
Throughout our history,
movements for better government, civil rights and real democracy
have thrived off the efforts of young people. We believe the
struggle for better representation and systems that give us all a
right at the polls has far reaching implications for young adults.
As many organizations and individuals work to
increase and improve turnout it is important that we examine the electoral
systems in use today. Our current winner-take-all system far too often
leaves little to the imagination. Our elections are becoming less and
less competitive, creating an even tougher challenge to increase
turnout. Fewer and fewer issues are being brought to the table and in
the place of issues campaigns are becoming more and more negative.
This trend has left young people--who make up the largest portion of first
time voters--more and more disillusioned with the process, the system and
the idea of participating in either. Our nation�s
current winner-take-all system leaves few chances for young people�s voices to be
heard. With so many youth left voiceless at all levels of
government, it is no wonder we continue to see turnout numbers that
reflect this sense of hopelessness. What
can we do to get more young people to vote?
Request a Presentation
: please include date (s), approximate
time, and location. Data
on Youth Participation
Resources
Materials:
Mobilizing Youth
For Electoral Reform (Microsoft Publisher format)
IRV Brochure (.pdf
format)
More information on Proportional Representation, Instant Runoff Voting
Find out about alternative
voting systems in student
governments and read the latest campus news .
Link to Youth Vote
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