Nevada Young Voters Show Up Strong for Democrats
Nevada Young Voters Show Up Strong for Democrats
Youth Vote Groups Vow to Make the Caucus More than a One Night Stand
Las Vegas, NV—Three Democratic youth groups—Democrats Work, Young Voter PAC and Young Democrats of Nevada—teamed up in Nevada to help turn the Democratic youth vote out and to ensure the caucus isn’t a one night stand. Young people 18-29 made up 13% of the overall turnout for Democrats. Young people took a generational stand with over 59% of young people caucusing with Obama and 33% caucusing with Clinton versus the caucus goers over the age of 60 going 60% Clinton and 31% Obama. Over three times as many young voters caucused for Democrats with nearly 15,000 showing up for Democrats and only 4,800 voting for Republican candidates.
“It is clear young people are keeping Obama competitive and that they are much more excited by Democrats overall,” said Jane Fleming Kleeb, the Executive Director of the Young Voter PAC. “Campaigns need to continue to target young people if they want them to turn out. Democrats have a significant advantage among young voters, and we will be the difference between winning and losing in November. The earlier the campaigns partner with youth groups on the ground and run targeted field programs, the larger the number of young people will show up and help carry the candidate over the victory line.”
All three groups will remain active in Nevada post-caucus. Through community service programs and supporting candidates who target young people though the Young Voter PAC, Democrats Work, Young Voter PAC, and the Young Democrats offer a wide range of activities young people in Nevada can do to have a “meaningful relationship with Democracy.”
“Today’s caucus is the first step in engaging young voters in new and compelling ways in Nevada,” said Thomas Bates, Executive Director of Democrats Work. “We know that Nevada will be competitive in November, and we plan to build on the excitement generated by the caucuses to keep young Democrats visible and active throughout the year.”
“The youth vote in Nevada is diverse and disparate,” said Jason Fromoltz, President of the Young Democrats of Nevada. “Campaigns hoping to succeed in Nevada need to invest more resources into the youth vote. Building a relationship with youth vote groups on the ground and running target youth vote programs will reach more college and non-college young people for the general election in November.”
Prior to the caucuses, the Young Democrats of Nevada held “mockuses” in over 35 high schools across Nevada and at both UNLV and UNR. In the days leading up to the caucus, the three groups reached out to young voters in Clark and Washoe counties online and via email and in non-traditional canvassing in Las Vegas, including at local bars, coffee shops, high schools, and candidate rallies. The message of the 500 t-shirts and thousands of flyers handed out this week was: Make 1.19.08 More Than a One Night Stand; Build a Meaningful Relationship with Democracy.
PRESS CONTACTS:
Thomas Bates, Democrats Work
917-304-2460, tbates@democratswork.org
Jane Fleming Kleeb, Young Voter PAC
202-445-5263, jane@youngvoterpac.org
Jason Fromoltz, Young Democrats of Nevada
702-544-6055, jfromoltz@ydnv.org
