Raleigh, N.C. — The race for the White House targets young voters in the Triangle Saturday with Hillary Rodham Clinton's daughter, Chelsea Clinton, and other prominent Democrats in Raleigh for the Young Democrats of North Carolina's annual convention.
Young voters will also have an opportunity to join the Barack Obama campaign with a kickoff planned Saturday morning on Franklin Street.
"We're excited more than ever. We're engaged more than ever, and we are ready to take our rightful place at the table of democracy," Young Democrats President Zack Hawkins said.
The number of 18-29-year-old voters has increased in every state's primary or caucus this year – for example, Iowa saw a 133-percent rise, and Texas' turnout increased by more than 300 percent.
Many say young voters could decide this year's election.
"Young people care about the issues that matter to America," Jay Dawkins, president of North Carolina State University's College Republicans. "We care about the economy. We care about lower taxes, and we care about health care."
Young Democrats say their candidates are easier to relate to.
"When you have someone so fresh and inspiring, like Obama, and you have someone around as long as Clinton has—and that we feel we have a great attachment to – it really engages young people and makes us feel like we have a part in the process," Hawkins said.
While John McCain is older, young Republicans say age isn't as important as the issues.
"I think, as we get closer to the election, the issues will become more apparent," Dawkins said. "And I feel John McCain, at this point, is more frankly addressing the issues at hand for our nation."
Young Voter Turnout Could Determine Next President
- Reporter: Sloane Heffernan
- Photographer: Greg Hutchinson
- Web Editor: Kelly Gardner
Copyright 2009 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
0 Comments
-
- Hagan, Burr express concern over health care funding
Updated Nov. 8 11:45 p.m. |
- Split N.C. delegation votes 8-5 against health care bill
Updated Nov. 8 8:11 p.m. |
- McDonald's reopens after haz-mat incident
Updated Nov. 8 11:47 p.m. |
- Ft. Hood shooter was on orders to deploy with Durham-based unit
Posted Nov. 8 8:05 p.m. | Slideshow |
- Rand departure will shake up Senate leadership
Updated Nov. 8 2:28 p.m. |
- Hagan, Burr express concern over health care funding
- Most Viewed Slideshows
- Fort Bragg homecoming
Posted Nov. 8 3:07 p.m. - Photos: Cheerleading Championship
Nov. 7, 2009 - Weather maps and cams
Sep. 2, 2009
- Fort Bragg homecoming
top-voted stories
-
Photos of the weekThe snow-covered Wilder Kaiser, part of the Alps, is reflected in Lake Schwarzsee in Austria. It's among the best photos taken by Associated Press…
-
Photos: Your veteransWRAL viewers share pictures of their veterans in their lives.
-
The week in entertainmentA look at the top entertainment headlines this week through the lenses of Associated Press photographers.
-
Entertainment: Winners and losersA look at the winners and losers this week in the entertainment world.
-
Photos: Raleigh fall colorsWatch the leaves change colors throughout the fall at 10 iconic locations in Raleigh.





STORIES
VIDEOS
SLIDESHOWS


Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.
You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.