Editor's note: This article has been corrected. See below
Youth voter turnout is the highest it has been since 1972, the year 18-year-olds first got to vote.
Years from now, 2008 will likely be the answer to more than a few advanced placement civics questions, and political science students will have stacks of books on this election to choose from for their essays.
Almost 1 million youth voters - people younger than 30 - turned out for California's Feb. 5 primary, according to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement.
Junior Ryan McElhinney is going to the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 25 in Denver as Barack Obama's male delegate from Butte County.
Junior Aaron Skaggs, president of the Student Democratic Club and former candidate for Obama's delegate spot, is also planning on attending, he said.
Junior Darla Medley, president of the College Republican Club, has been focusing on building the club's membership, she said. It has about the same membership as the Student Democratic Club by her count.
The College Republican Club plans to have a much higher profile on campus fall semester, possibly participating in an on-campus debate, Medley said.
"I know there's going to be a push because it's an election year," she said.
It will have brochures for likely Republican nominee John McCain when they have booths in the Free Speech Area, as well as brochures for Republican candidates in Chico-area elections.
More than 5 million youth voters voted in the primaries and caucuses this year, according to CIRCLE. Youth votes tripled in at least six states, including Oklahoma, Iowa and Florida. Youth votes quadrupled in Tennessee.
Ellen Walrath can be reached at ewalrath@theorion.com
The original article incorrectly stated that the first time 18-year-olds could vote was in 1968. The 26th amendment to change the voting age from 21 to 18 was ratified in 1971. The first election that 18-year-olds could vote in was 1972.
Related links CNN's Election Center 2008 Fox New's America's Election HQ The New York Times' Election Guide 2008 USA Today Politics
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