10.8 million young people voted in 2006, a nearly two million vote increase from 2002

Breaking News: Census Figures Confirm 2006 Jump in Young Voter Turnout

For the second major election in a row, 18-29 year olds' turnout was up in 2006, growing by nearly two million votes over 2002 levels

June 15, 2007- New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that, for the second major election in a row, young voter turnout rose in 2006. An analysis of the data from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE)at the University of Maryland confirms early estimates of increased young voter turnout and finds that10.8 million 18-29 year olds voted in 2006, a nearly two million vote increase from 2002 levels (8.9 million). This is following young voters' large turnout increase in 2004, when 18-29 year olds cast 4.3 million more ballots than in 2000 and increased their turnout rate by nine percentage points, more than twice the overall electorate's 4-point increase. CIRCLE's analysis also shows that while turnout was up among voters of all ages in 2006 (by 1.7 percentage points), 18-29 year olds yet again increased their turnout by more, jumping by 3 percentage points from 2002 to 2006 - nearly twice the increase of the overall electorate.

"The official figures confirm that a new generation has arrived at the polls and is an electorate to watch in 2008," said Kat Barr, Research Director at Young Voter Strategies. "On Election Day 2006, 10.8 million 18-29 year olds voted, two million more than in the previous midterm election. The increased civic engagement and political interest of the Millennial Generation, outreach from campus and community organizations, and attention from campaigns and candidates in 2006 all came together to build on the momentum begun by big young voter turnout in 2004. Young adults are an electorate that campaigns and candidates must reach out to in order to win on Election Day 2008 and beyond."

In 2006, Young Voter Strategies coordinated 15 nonpartisan organizations, including the PIRGs' New Voters Project, Rock the Vote, Women's Voices. Women Vote., and Black Youth Vote!, to register more than 520,000 18-30 year olds. The three million dollar project, funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, constituted the largest nonpartisan youth-targeted registration effort in any midterm election. In addition, in 2006 several campaigns targeted young voters as part of strategies to win tight elections, as outlined in the new YVS publication Young Voter Mobilization Tactics II. Experts agree that the combination of an engaged generation, nonpartisan outreach, and campaign attention played a significant role in increased young voter turnout in 2004 and 2006, and will be key to young voter turnout in 2008.

For more information, see CIRCLE's factsheet or contact Kat Barr at Young Voter Strategies: 202-994-9528, katbarr@gwu.edu