The push to get young people to the polls is not just a national drive on behalf of presidential candidates. Just ask newly elected Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter or the two youthful political activists who helped get him into office.
To be fair, the efforts of Nutter’s election team were directed toward many different voter groups. But 30-year-old Alain Joinville, who organized dozens of events during the campaign, held many of them where younger people would be. And he says it was all by design:
"I saw an opportunity for new voices to be heard -- young voices. You didn’t have to necessarily be connected . You didn’t have to be in the system for 20 years for your ideas and opinions to be heard."
And Nutter did more than talk to them -- he brought them into his inner circle. Twenty-eight year old Keri Salerno, for instance, had already worked a couple of previous political campaigns. She says she helped raise money for Nutter, then after the election was tapped to coordinate his call for the young into public service:
"We felt it was very important to bring young people into the government. So I reached out to a lot of undergraduate universities (and) graduate schools both here in Philadelphia and regionally, and across the country."
By the way, both Joinville and Salerno have jobs in Nutter’s administration today. Salerno helps coordinate grant applications through the mayor’s office and says she has been too busy to follow this year’s presidential run closely. Joinville, who now handles public affairs for the Recreation Department, sees a lot of his friends getting on the Barack Obama bandwagon:
"A lot of people are really engaged and really excited because he gives people hope for the future. There are a lot of people really excited about that."
His boss, Mayor Nutter, is backing Hillary Clinton.
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Regional Affairs Council Podcasts: Listen or Download
Youth & Politics: The Underage
In this expanded Regional Affairs Council interview on the youth vote, KYW's Ian Bush talks with an Interboro High School junior who won't be able to vote in 2008, but wants to play a role anyway. (14:32)
Youth & Politics: The Internet
In this expanded Regional Affairs Council interview on the youth vote, KYW's Ian Bush talks with Ray Murphy, co-editor of the blog YoungPhillyPolitics.com. (23:14)
High School Voters
High school is about as young as you can get when it comes to being eligible to vote. But not all high school students are lucky enough to be turning 18 this year. KYW's Hadas Kuznits reports on their efforts during this year's election.
The Underage
At two area high schools, politics are front and center. KYW's Ian Bush takes a look.
Political Party Efforts
So, what are the political parties doing to encourage the youth vote? KYW’s David Madden has this report.
Youth Issues
So what drives youth interest in politics -- and, as candidates hope, gets them to the polls on Election Day? KYW's Ian Bush reports:
Social Networking
If 2004 was the year of the Internet in politics, 2008 is all about social networking web sites. KYW's Ian Bush takes a look:
Relying On The Youth
Can candidates rely on the youth vote -- or is it more fantasy than reality? KYW's Ian Bush reports:
Politics and Youth
KYW's Hadas Kuznits reports one person who may know a little something about youth and politics is Pa's youngest current serving general assembly member.
Getting Youth To The Polls
The push to get young people to the polls is not just a national thing. Just ask newly elected Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter. KYW’s David Madden spoke with two youthful political activists who helped get him there.
Voter Registration
KYW's Hadas Kuznits reports there are a lot of questions when it comes to voter eligibility.
History of the Voting Youth
The importance of the youth vote has grown in recent years. KYW’s David Madden takes a look at its short history.
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