On Tuesday, Oct. 30, Justin Buchler, associate professor in the Department of Political Science will lead a discussion on “Myths About Youth Voters.”
Popular lore attributes the results of the 2008 election to a successful effort by Democrats to mobilize youth voters in favor of Obama, leading to speculation that 2012 will turn on whether or not the Democratic Party can repeat its supposed 2008 success. However, data on voter turnout and vote choice indicate otherwise. Voting patterns in 2008 were not noticeably different with respect to age than voting patterns in past elections, and young people remain the least likely age group to vote.
This event will take place from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. in the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Community Studies Center (formerly the Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations) in room 115.
More information on the discussion can be found here.