We may have a problem ...

[napkinz]

Low Midterm Turnout Likely, Conservatives More Enthusiastic, Harvard Youth Poll Finds

Washington, DC – A new national poll of America’s 18- to 29- year-olds by Harvard’s Institute of Politics (IOP), located at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, finds low expected participation for the midterm elections as less than one-in-four (23%) young Americans say they will “definitely be voting” in November, a sharp drop of 11 percentage points from five months ago (34%). Among the most likely voters, the poll also finds traditional Republican constituencies showing more enthusiasm than Democratic ones for participating in the upcoming midterms, with 44 percent of 2012 Mitt Romney voters saying they will definitely be voting – a statistically significant difference compared to the 35 percent of 2012 Barack Obama voters saying the same.

The IOP’s newest poll results – its 25th major release since 2000 – also show notable differences in opinions on legalization of marijuana by political party, race and age. The poll also finds President Obama’s job approval rating has improved (47%) from a historic low noted five months ago (41%: Nov. 2013).

“The Institute’s spring poll shows 18- to 29- year-olds’ trust in public institutions at a five-year low – and their cynicism toward the political process has never been higher," said Harvard Institute of Politics Director Trey Grayson. “To inspire the next generation to public service – and to improve our communities – our elected officials need to move past the bitter partisanship and work together to ensure progress and restore trust in government.”

“It’s been clear for some time now that young people are growing more disillusioned and disconnected from Washington,” said Harvard Institute of Politics Polling Director John Della Volpe. “There’s an erosion of trust in the individuals and institutions that make government work — and now we see the lowest level of interest in any election we’ve measured since 2000. Young people still care about our country, but we will likely see more volunteerism than voting in 2014.”


read more: http://www.iop.harvard.edu/Spring-2014-HarvardIOP-Survey?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=hero&utm_campaign=2014SurveyRelease

[otherone]

1. time to give them something to vote for

other then getting to stay on mommies insurance until they are 26

[Xyzse]

4. Sadly I agree with you.

I mean, I vote, every single time since 2000, but that is because I definitely think about what is the lesser evil.

It is not something that I like, since voting for the lesser evil does not really motivate to vote, unless you feel responsible.

[Scuba]

6. + Eighty Gazillion ... Living wage, free education at public universities ...

Legalization ...



I don't think "not the Republican" is all that appealing to younger voters.

[otherone]

8. thanks for the reply scuba

peace and low stress

[Scuba]

9. I'd gladly settle for peace.

[truedelphi]

29. At least four percent of the people I talk with while "tabling" say this:

"I voted for Obama in 2008.

"I am no longer voting, as "the lesser of two evils" has no appeal for me."

When Obama let Eric Holder run rough shod over the state-voter approved medical marijuana dispensaries, a lot of young adults lost good paying jobs. that in this rural economy cannot be easily replaced.

[woo me with science]

17. They simply haven't been threatened enough.

Time for a Republican to skin an orphan so that the Democratic Party's TPP, surveillance state, toll roads, and corporatized internet look positively humane.

[otherone]

21. no doubt

[sabrina 1]

28. Yes, what should they do? I think they witnessed this 'democracy' in action when they

went out to express their opinions on the influence Wall St has had on them and their futures. Being met with brutal robo cops wasn't a way to encourage them to vote for one party or the other.

Images of old women being pepper sprayed and veterans nearly killed for exercising what they once thought, though not any longer, was a right they had fought for, kind of leaves a disturbing image of a country claiming to represent the people.

[tiredtoo]

2. And that is precisely why

We have to quit posting stuff about Hillary in 2016. And start posting items and thoughts about how to get these younger voters to the polls.
In Michigan there is a petition going around to put raising the minimum wage on the ballot. This will hopefully serve two purposes, 1 raise the minimum wage and two get the young voters to the polls. If you are in Michigan sign this petition or better yet get some and circulate them.

[napkinz]

5. yes, the focus has to be on 2014!

nt

[sheshe2]

11. I agree, napkinz.

GOTV 2014

Sadly by not voting in the midterms they will only make the situation worse if we fail gain seats.

[napkinz]

12. we need to gain seats in the House and hold on to the Senate

and then there are all the gubernatorial races as well ... so much is at stake

[sheshe2]

14. We have a Governors race here in Mass.

Looks like Coakley-D polls far ahead at this point. We can do this, napkinz.

Thanks for the graphic.

GOTV2014

[99Forever]

18. Oh nonsense.

Perhaps you might not be able to walk and chew gum at the same time, but I'm willing to bet the vast majority here can handle it. If you don't care to discuss a particular topic, then DON'T, but please give a rest to telling others what they should or should not talk about.

Okay with you?

[tiredtoo]

23. You are right.

Sorry for sounding so presumptuous. Last night i spent quite a bit of time talking about the Detroit Tigers and their chances of winning the world series.
There are many groups on this board that have nothing to do with politics and those groups talk about a myriad of things.

Correct me if i am wrong, but i believe this group was started shortly after George W. Bush was appointed to the presidency by the SCOTUS.
The intention, as i understood it, was to regain control of our government from the corporate powers that had taken control.
With this in mind I feel we all must work together on the project at hand. Namely the upcoming mid-term election. If we fail to hold our ground in the mid-terms, we will have an even larger task ahead of us in the 2016 election.

I long for the day when we can go to the polls and vote for the best of two good versus voting for the lesser of two evils.
It all starts at home in our home precincts and that is where we should be focusing the majority of our attention right now.

What do you think the Detroit Tigers chances are this year?

[1000words]

3. They are paying attention

Cause and effect.

[Scuba]

7. Bingo.

[CrispyQ]

10. Some of us old farts are waking up as well. --nt

[woo me with science]

16. This is the correct answer. nt

[99Forever]

19. Precisely.

Constantly capitulating to the 1% doesn't exactly breed public support, especially among those that think you are sticking it to them.

[lumberjack_jeff]

13. Tell 'em they have to pay a toll to use I-5 and they might. n/t

[woo me with science]

15. I know! Let's push the TPP and make people pay tolls

to use roads that have always been open to them.

That ought to gin up some REAL excitement!

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. and this is different from any other midtern exactly how?

Of course, until those elections are made relevant to the lives of the young voter...this pattern will not change.

[davidn3600]

22. Democrats haven't really done a whole lot for the youth vote

Jobs are still scarce. Student loans and college tuition is astronomical.

The youth don't play the game of lesser of two evils like the rest of the population. If a candidate does not motivate them to vote, they will simply stay home.

[Bluenorthwest]

24. 2008 was the most cynical campaign cycle in history. The youth vote was sought with florid rhetoric

that was simply rhetoric, not a speaking of intention or principle. People notice when you tell them what they want to hear so that you can turn around and do what you want to do.

[napkinz]

25. what they have to LOSE ...

[JJChambers]

26. What's not to get excited about??

On a national level, democrats are slightly less evil corporatists than republicans. That's exciting!!

[randys1]

27. When they are homeless and starving, and they will be if they dont vote

well maybe then they will

[Politicalboi]

30. Marijuana and birth control should bring them out

Both have a lot to do with their future.

[Jamaal510]

31. This is what the GOP

and the RW want. They obviously don't want government to function properly, but they run for office anyway and start BSing once they get in. I'm sure they know that our media is going to let them get away with their nonsense for the most part, and that their base is stimulated by fear and will show up no matter what. With them wasting time in office and doing nothing, I strongly believe this is the #1 reason that makes people (especially around my age) cynical about government. People get the impression that it is both sides that are incompetent. But in reality, Democrats want to govern, while Republicans DO NOT. Ever since 2008, the GOP has been unreasonable and unwilling to work with the other side whatsoever.