Politics

Youth Vote Could Rock The November Elections

MIAMI (CBS4) ― One crucial factor that may help decide the winner on November 4th is the youth vote. By every account young voters are paying more attention than they have in a long time to the presidential race.

Surveys show most young voters tend to favor Democrats and Barack Obama has them excited.

"He's the first candidate to get me out, get me involved" said University of Miami student Jeff Strohsahl.

Many observers have noted that the youth vote turned out in sharply higher numbers during the primary season across much of the USA. At UM, the 'Get Out The Vote' effort has registered 23-hundred students. Jonathan Schrader, who supports John McCain, said the biggest worry for young voters is their immediate future.

"Coming out into a job force where there are no jobs," said Schrader, "that is a big thing."

Miami teen Noah Gray thinks voting is a very big thing. Even though he can't vote himself because he's only 16 years old, he launched a "Virgin Voting" contest online where young first time voters post their voting experiences. The winner will receive a gift card from the Apple store.

"The apathy of you," said Gray, "I wanted to make sure they didn't just for American Idol but in the presidential elections as well."

Gray plans to be at the final presidential debate this Wednesday; active, involved and dreaming of the day when he's old enough to make his own vote count.

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