Youth turnout increases per University of Maryland CIRCLE

Youth turnout increased dramatically in both the 2008 IA caucuses and the NH primary according to preliminary analysis of entrance/exit poll results and initial vote tallies by CIRCLE.

In Iowa, the youth turnout rate more than tripled and rose to 13 percent in 2008 from 4 percent in 2004 and 3 percent in 2000. Youth supported both winners-Senator Barack Obama (D) and Governor Mike Huckabee (R)-by the largest margins of any age group.

The youth turnout rate in NH rose sharply to 43 percent in 2008 compared to 18 percent in 2004 and 28 percent in 2000. Young people increased their turnout more than the older age group. The youth turnout rate increased by 15 percentage points over 2000 while the turnout rate for those ages 30 and above increased by only six percentage points.

For estimates of youth turnout in IA and NH as well as analysis of IA entrance polls visit www.civicyouth.org.