What the Youth Vote Really Meant

To the Editor:

Debra Blum accurately describes the massive increase in voting this year, and especially the record-high turnout of youth. (“Charities Bask in Record Voter-Turnout Numbers, Weigh Next Steps,” November 25). But she adds that “young Americans’ share of the total vote stayed about the same as four years ago — roughly 9 percent — raising questions about just how significant the increased turnout was.”

An increase of 1.8 million young voters is certainly “significant” if the goal is to increase participation. This increase did not happen because youth became more numerous, but because they voted at a considerably higher rate than we have seen in more than a decade.

Advocates of youth voting are delighted that overall turnout rose dramatically in 2004, and that youth were part of that story. We don’t wish that fewer older citizens had voted so that youth could have increased their share of the total vote.

Peter Levine
Deputy Director
Circle: The Center for Information & Research
on Civic Learning & Engagement
University of Maryland
College Park, Md.