Spring Break
Studies indicate increase in young voter turnout
Student organizations plan to campaign
Austin Schiffman
Issue date: 8/20/08 Section: NEWS
According to voting analysts, Texas youth have election fever.
After collecting data from the 2008 primaries, The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement said the voter turnout rate for young people ages 18 to 29 in Texas nearly tripled from the year 2000, rising from 6 percent to 17 percent of the total voter turnout. The center is a nonpartisan organization at Tufts University that measures youth involvement in civic activities.
In hopes that Texas youth will turn out to vote in record numbers, NT political organizations are preparing for this opportunity.
"The Student Government Association will be promoting civic engagement at all levels from here on campus to the national level," Student Government Association President Jeff Kline said. "We hope students will vote in both campus and national elections this fall."
Kline said the SGA will invite bands and musicians to "Rock the Vote," an event designed to give campus political organizations a chance to inform students about the issues. He said the event will likely take place a week before the presidential election.
Kline said the SGA and the department of political science would also participate in "UNT Gets Presidential," a lecture series hosted by the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. The event will focus on topics such as the war in Iraq, health care, Social Security, immigration and the environment.
Mary Brown, communications director for the College Democrats of North Texas, said her organization would try to recruit students to vote for Sen. Barack Obama for president. She said the College Democrats have several issues that should strike home with students on campus, including making undergraduate and graduate school affordable and providing uninsured Americans with health care.
"We will be holding voter drives to ensure every Democrat on campus is registered to vote," she said.
Brown said the College Democrats would host "Obamanite08" on election night at The Syndicate.
After collecting data from the 2008 primaries, The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement said the voter turnout rate for young people ages 18 to 29 in Texas nearly tripled from the year 2000, rising from 6 percent to 17 percent of the total voter turnout. The center is a nonpartisan organization at Tufts University that measures youth involvement in civic activities.
In hopes that Texas youth will turn out to vote in record numbers, NT political organizations are preparing for this opportunity.
"The Student Government Association will be promoting civic engagement at all levels from here on campus to the national level," Student Government Association President Jeff Kline said. "We hope students will vote in both campus and national elections this fall."
Kline said the SGA will invite bands and musicians to "Rock the Vote," an event designed to give campus political organizations a chance to inform students about the issues. He said the event will likely take place a week before the presidential election.
Kline said the SGA and the department of political science would also participate in "UNT Gets Presidential," a lecture series hosted by the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. The event will focus on topics such as the war in Iraq, health care, Social Security, immigration and the environment.
Mary Brown, communications director for the College Democrats of North Texas, said her organization would try to recruit students to vote for Sen. Barack Obama for president. She said the College Democrats have several issues that should strike home with students on campus, including making undergraduate and graduate school affordable and providing uninsured Americans with health care.
"We will be holding voter drives to ensure every Democrat on campus is registered to vote," she said.
Brown said the College Democrats would host "Obamanite08" on election night at The Syndicate.
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