Democrats Win the Youth Vote in IA + NH
Young people voted for Democrats over Republicans in the first two primary states. In Iowa, 80% of the young voters voted for Democrats and in New Hampshire 61% of the young voters chose Democrats over Republicans. With young people making up 25% of the national electorate this year, they will ensure a Democrat is the next President as long as the campaigns continue to run targeted programs to earn their votes.
Initial statistics for youth (ages 18-29) turnout in Iowa:
The youth turnout rate tripled in Iowa.
The youth turnout rate rose to 13% in 2008 compared to 4% in 2004 and 3% in 2000.
Out of all of Barack Obama’s support in Iowa, 57% came from young voters (CNN, MSNBC, FOX).
60% of the caucus participants were first time caucus goers and of those 39% of them went for Obama.
22% of the Democratic caucus goers were young people, up from 17% in 2004.
A total of 65,230 young people were caucus-goers in 2008. 52,580 caucused with Democrats and only 12,650 turned out for Republicans. That means of the young people that turned out, 80% were for Democrats!
The totals for both parties are 239,000 Democrats (compared to 125,000 in 2004) and 115,000 Republicans.
Initial New Hampshire Youth Vote Numbers:
The youth turnout rate rose to 43% in 2008 compared to 18% in 2004 and 28% in 2000.
61% of young voters ages 18-29 in New Hampshire chose Democrats over Republicans (raw numbers are Democrats 43,753, Republicans 28,288).
Young people choosing Democrats over Republicans continues the trend we saw in Iowa where 52,580 caucused with Democrats and only 12,650 turned out for Republicans.
Among Democrats, 18-29 year olds outperformed older voters (CNN exit polling):
- 18-29 year old voters made up 18% of the New Hampshire Democratic primary.
- 30-39 year olds made up 15%.
- 65 and older voters made up 13%.
Young people were split between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton (CNN exit polling):
- 18-24 year olds supported Barack Obama (61%) over Hillary Clinton (22%);
- 25-29 year olds supported Hillary Clinton (37%) over Barack Obama (34%);
