South Carolina: Youth Turnout Triples. Again. [View All]

by Mike Connery, Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 12:01:27 PM EST
mydd.com

Turnout in the Democratic Primary in South Carolina almost tripled yesterday. According to CIRCLE, 74,245 young voters went to the polls, 19 percent of eligible young voters. In 2004, only 26,181 voters aged 18 to 29 participated. As a share of the electorate, young voters made up 14 percent of the electorate, an increase of 5 percent over the previous cycle.

It's no surprise that once again young people voted for Obama in overwhelming numbers. According to CNN exit polling, young voters chose Obama 68 - 23 percent. These numbers were fairly consistent through all age demographics in the state, the notable exception being those 65+, who cast their ballots for Clinton.

Apropos of my last post, it looks like race was not a factor among younger voters, or rather, the vote did not break down along racial lines. What little polling I could find before the primary seemed to indicate that the debate over race in the media had little effect on Clinton and Obama's support among young black and white voters. Turns out that debate likely drove many young voters - white and black - towards Obama and his post-racial message.

Among African American voters aged 18 - 24, Obama won 79 to 19 percent. Among 25 - 29 year olds that number was even higher at 83 to 16 percent. But Obama also won among young white voters, who voted for him 52 to 28 percent. Among that group it seems like some of Obama's victory may be due to the fact that John Edwards did surprisingly well among young white voters, capturing 20 percent of their vote, his highest numbers yet.

Once again, the number of young people voting in the Democratic contest far outpaced that of Republicans. Only 44,320 young voters participated in the Republican primary held last week, and they made up only 10 percent of the Republican electorate.

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http://mydd.com/story/2008/1/27/12127/2736