For Immediate Release: January 4, 2008 Contact: Edward Wilcox Edward.Wilcox@generationengage.org
YOUNG VOTERS, RURAL VOTERS DELIVER
Once-Marginalized Demographics Turn Out to Vote in Heavy Numbers; Deliver Victories to Obama and Huckabee
The National Election Poll and the Associated Press indicate that youth turnout increased dramatically from 2004 on both the Republican and the Democratic sides; one in five caucus-goers was under age 30 - about three times as many as typically vote in early presidential nomination events; and overall caucus turnout swelled to 340,000. While Obama owes much of his success to youth voters, Huckabee was carried by rural voters; he received almost 23,000 votes, double that of Romney.
"Young voters and rural voters showed that, when provided with the opportunity to engage, they will do so in a big way" said Niel Ritchie, Executive Director of League of Rural Voters, who hosted Candidate iChat in partnership with GenerationEngage earlier in the fall. Both groups used video conference technology to connect candidates to large gatherings in Iowa, San Jose and Raleigh for interactive national conversations on rural issues.
"Their strategy defied conventional wisdom for winning in Iowa and beyond by targeting traditionally marginalized groups," added Edward Wilcox, GenGage Director of Communications."GenerationEngage and the League of Rural Voters look forward to increased attention from the candidates in the months ahead. So do our members."
To view footage from the GenGage/League of Rural Voters iChat click here: http://www.generationengage.org/videoplayer/videos.php?clip_id=1
iowapressrelease.pdf
