Why don't young (18-29) people vote?
443298
I think that some young people do not want to vote because they find voting being meaningless but yet, they are the ones who complain a lot about the government. I believe that if you do not vote, DO NOT Complain on what is happening where you live.
810859
i personally always vote. most non-voters don't vote because they do not like either canidate, or they are just un-informed and do not know who to vote for. most people my age ( i am 20) are not even registered because they just don't care. i dont think it is pressed on younger people as much the importance of voting. most of my friends say "why bother, i won't make a difference anyway" which sometimes is true. i live in MD which tends to be a democratic state, so if you were to vote republican it would basically be worthless. i have also found that a lot of people that don't vote complain about who has been elected. which i find humorus. because if you didnt try to change it why should you have an opinion?
592832
It is true that many young people are liberal.  They want the freedom to do everything and anything that they want to do.  Many of these young people do turn conservative as they age and have children of their own.  They also have the experience to help them understand the need of many conservative ideals.  Not all of the youth turn conservative though.  Many of them still adhere to the liberal ideas they had in their youth and never change their allegiance.  There is no way to tell what someone will believe, politically speaking, despite their beliefs of their youth.
663036
I think the biggest reason for this is they don't see it as having a major effect on their lives.  Most of the issues (major issues) don't pertain to them a whole lot.  \n\nNow WE know that these are the fundamental building blocks for things that WILL be important to them (us) later, however with the pressures of work, school (for some), and just life in general it is easy to become complacent and fall into the trap.\n\nI know and feel a personal sense of responsibility (and pride) in voting, however some (not all) just don't care.  That's the saddest part of all...
528315
Because by the time you get to be fifty, you are SET in your ways and ideas and not easily changed. Because of this, it is hard for two fifty year old people to get together and work out indifferences. I know, I'm 47 and can't find anyone like me!
562132
I think that civic participation should be taught more vigorously in elementary and high schools. Children grow up simply apathetic to domestic and international politics and then they don't participate in keeping this democracy alive and well when they have the opportunity to. Democracies can only thrive with active widespread participation. Obviously there is an age limit to make sure that the people going to the polls are mature. But I think that if 15 and 16 year olds are old enough to be charged as adults if they commit crimes, then they should be old enough to go to the polls.
2389
Certainly at the very least the age at which you can be compelled to die for your country, and the age at which you can vote and the age at which you can decide whether or not you can consume alchohol should all be the same.  The only reason that they are not is because there are far fewer 18 to 21 year-olds in the US than there are 21+ year-olds.  Back when the amendment to the constitution was passed setting the voting age to 18 was when there was a forceable draft and when the baby boomers were all between 18 and 21 - they had the power then, and they have it now.
1018008
I TOTALLY AGREE, I'M FROM CALIFORNIA, AND I HELP WITH PETITION SIGNING, AND I AM ASTOUNDED AS TO HOW MANY YOUNG PEOPLE JUST DON'T CARE, I ALWAYS GET ANSWERS LIKE; OH I DON'T VOTE BECAUSE IT NEVER GOES THE WAY I WANT IT, OR ITS NOT LIKE MY VOTE MATTERS. AAH! STUPID! AND CONTRARY TO THE COMMENT ABOVE ABOUT LATINOS, MOST OF THE OFFENDERS ARE YOUNG AFFLUENT WHITE KIDS, MOSTLY GIRLS. I FIND THE LATINOS ARE MORE PASSIONATE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE MORE TO LOSE.
229090
Very interesting question, Crappy (sorry for the shorthand). But to tell you the truth, it is already extremely easy for people to vote. If you can't find the time to vote for the people running your town, state, country - I really question your thought process. This is the greatest freedom given to the people of our country. It simply must be exercised. Especially in today's world of no excuse absentee ballots. I have not missed an election on any level since I have turned 18. This includes when I was away at college or working out of town on business. \n\nIn fact, I would go one step further (and will probably get bashed for this thought), but I believe that people should be made to take and pass a test on the candidates and their positoins on several key issues before they are allowed to vote. A bipartison comittee could mail out the answers to the test to the voters and make them available anywhere including the internet, but the important thing would be for people to know where the person they are voting for stands for on the major issues. They can take and retake the test as many times as they want, but I think if people were made to understand the candidates positions on key issues - we would have far more effective people elected and a far more informed populace...
777736
This is very funny, thinking about it makes me laugh, because all the technology that is out there, you can vote for American Idol on-line or through the phone. Why not vote for president? We still have these old machines for Voting that are rusted and very noisy.  If they would have voting through the phones or the Internet, I believe a bigger % of the population will vote, because a lot of people don't vote because they don't feel like going out there everyday routing to wait in line to vote.
886962
I think that you're starting to see some resentment from younger people in the country, but I seriously doubt that anyone would take that kind of initiative for protests.  There have been nationwide protests of the Iraq war in the past, but they didn't get nearly as much media attention as Vietnam protests did.  I think that young people today are also a little bit more worried about things.  Personally, I'm in school full time and work a full time job.  As much as I'd like to get involved on something like that, I simply can't afford to walk away from my job and continue to pay for school.  I think that a lot of people my age are in similar positions.  Back then, it was a lot easier to get away with something like that because a college degree was not a requirement to having a successful future.  If I took any time off school, I would suddenly become an older student and less appealing to employers once I earn my degree.  There's simply too much at stake.
668363
OK, so everyone says they are not mature enough.  I think he should give exampls on why are kids 13-17 NOT mature.  They spend all day playing the XBox 360, play the ball and jacking off.  They don't have a job, to appreciate a salary or wage and to recent the government for taking most of it in taxes.  They don't have a car, so they don't experience the joy of road rage and traffic that makes you get to work late and therefore get fired, lose your house to foreclosure and end up in the gutter.  I dooon't think people younger than 30 should be allowed to vote.  But I'm 35, so that's OK.
893794
Not necesssarily.  The young may, or may not, have better morals, but they tend to have more confidence in the future.  It is the middle aged person who has reached the plateau, and is perhaps seeing younger people being promoted over him, who is likely to go bad.
56585
The basic "paradox" to your question is there has not really been public enthusiasm for elections in years.  Less than 60% of voting age public have voted and far less than the voting age public is actually even registered to vote and this is in the Presidential years.  The numbers in off election years fall short of the pitiful turnout that we get for Presidential Elections.  It is no wonder that we have people who are trying to buy legislation when the American Public has not turned out to actually go through the steps of trying to run the country.
306955
Yes, along with the drinking age. The first time I voted, I voted my parents' choice. Now I vote mine. I would allow an exception for those serving in the military. I agree that if they're old enough to stand up for the country, they should have a voice in who's in office.
1089093
Thanks for the question. I think it is sad how few people vote in every election. People argue passionately but then never vote in elections.\n\nGet registered and vote!! It is your duty as an American citizen.
410455
because they don't care.  young people care more about who won on american idle or who's dating jessica simpson.  young people have no regard for civic responsibility.  that is the reason why many young people don't vote!!!!