Youth Voting Behavior - Research Paper Example

Youth voting behaviour The main objectives are: To make a research of youth voting behaviour; To give a brief literature overview of the topic; To complete a communications plan; To consider ethical information. Summary The research paper examines voting behaviour of youth. A tendency to interest in democratic process in the country, inner and outer factors of voting behaviour influence is traced trough theoretical overview and user engagement. Communications plan helps this research to be visual and objective. The purpose of this research project is to examine and address the voting behaviours of modern young citizens. In accordance with statistical analysis, we make a conclusion of why students take part in voting. Consequently, we can clearly see that youth (18-22 year olds) express their interest in the democratic process and in voting, but due to the lack of information and transparent goals of candidates they don’t vote. After a literature overview we can conclude that candidates do not consider youth as target recipients thus loosing their potential voting audience. Introduction Voting behaviour of youth (ages 18-24) shows dramatic changes in different time periods. A quantity of voting youth has steadily declining since 1972 till 2004, but in 2008 we can see not a decline, but a growth of number of young voters. “Sixty-one percent said they aren’t doing it because they feel as though they lack the information necessary to make an informed choice about the issues and the candidates” (Richards, 2003). It is necessary to claim, that youth voting rates are lower during elections of state and local elected officials. Such tendencies of voting rates fluctuation are evidence of difference in the voting behaviour to the process of voting among college students and undergraduates. Thus, voting rates of the abovementioned representatives of youth are 85 % and 73 % respectively (Carlos, p.2). As far as we can see, voting behaviour among youth is formed as follows: Proper consideration of political candidate; Social consciousness and responsibility; Active partake in political life of the country. Thus, in accordance with Richards “Sixty-one percent said they aren’t doing it [vote] because they feel as though they lack the information necessary to make an informed choice about the issues and the candidates” (Richards, p. 55). A kind of passive behaviour can be explained by a lack of necessary details on political programs of potential candidates. A proper term of “voter apathy” is proper with regards to voting behaviour of youth. Young people is a future of any country, thus a chance of will expression is high on the agenda for them. Literature Review UCLA survey reflected that only 34% of 271,000 college first year students polled, admitted their interest in politics (Drew & Magnusson, 2004). But they mainly do not vote because of mistrust to political candidates. Gibson (2001) claims that numerous refusals of young voters to take part in voting as decisive members is explained by the very process of elections. Looking on this “voter apathy”, we can give a brief historic overview, which is supposedly a premise of the abovementioned phenomenon. Therefore transition of demographic and intellectual power from the age group of “baby boom period” to a generation X and Y does not look like a cloudless perspective. In accordance with statistics, the tendency of 25 to 30 % voter partake in voting is between the ages of 18-24, thus socio-economic background and power will be captured by politicians. Gans (1992) underlined several problems in the modern political process. Following this researcher, we can sum up his ideas and present them as follows: 1) Efficiency and completion of promises and goals; 2) Less obtrusive political advertising; 3) Elimination of Medicare and retirement popularization. After following these criteria, the interest among voting youth will grow and behaviour of young voters will be positively changed. “Political parties are so devoid of policy formulation mechanisms that they must reinvent their message each primary season. This leaves the citizen with little hope that the message of any individual candidate is sufficiently representative of the party that will be expected to deliver upon his or her promises” (Gangs, 1992) Communications plan and user engagement Mission statement Youth voting behaviour is a decisive point in elections process while it reinforces the development and effectiveness of youth role in political life of the country. Assumptions for Planning Purposes The future of youth voting behaviour research includes educational, political, and other factors which directly influence on the process of elections. Potential growth of young voters’ number is a premise of national consciousness and responsibility. Key Messages Young voters are young thinkers. They will build our future. Youth voting behaviour is a reflection of changing modern world. They are lively, savvy, clever, at the forefront of the upcoming changes. Youth voting behaviour should be changed from “voter apathy” to active partake in political life of the country. Mutual interests of youth and politicians are unbreakable and consolidated. Audiences Youth have to be more informed and have a constant access to information of any candidate. Educational institutions should appoint mentors for a role of political enlightener, a teacher, whose clear explanation of the main political goals and programs in accessible form will explain any issues connected with the process of voting and elections. “Polling data shows that those who don’t vote and are middle-aged or older tend to be angry and alienated by the conduct of politics while those who are younger tend to be indifferent to it” (Gans, p. 13). Communications Goals All young people will be deliberate in their voting. Their voting will be a first step in changing their future. Youth will feel prudence and feel their importance as makers of new life. Strategies Attract positive media coverage of political programs. Reflect both pros and cons of any political program. Maximize effectiveness of political programs for youth demand. Tactics Cover political issues; reflect politics transparently; approximate youth political programs. Evaluation Count a percentage of voting rate among youth. User engagement Applicants are youth 18-24 years old. They are active media listeners, Internet users and active communicators. Number of polled youth is 306 first year students and graduates from Indiana State University. “there is a total lack of what President George Bush has called ‘the vision thing,’ of how the disparate pieces of individual advocacy fit within a vision of a coherent new world order or a good and just society at home” (Gans, 1992, p. 13). They were asked about their attitude to voting and their voting behaviour in general. Data is taken from the project of “4002 in 2004” voter campaign conducted in compliance with the Democracy project (Carlos, 2004). Ethical information There’s a growing tendency of increasing youth voting and participation in the elections. Appears a question: is it moral and legal to influence youth opinion? Ethical issues such as freedom of choice and a right to make a decision without any pressure are undermined. Though there are such Web Sites as www.declareyourself.com; www.freedomsanswer.net, www.stateofthevote.org and others. Development and involvement of such projects evoke consciousness of young voters to participate in the voting. Another function of these sites is mutual communication of users. Thus young people have a possibility to discuss their political preferences and views. On the one hand, such functions are positive. On the other hand, such Web site as "New Millennium Young Voters Project" www.stateofthevote.org. developed by National Association of Secretaries of State presents names of states, which allow young people under the age of eighteen to take active part in the process of elections (to work during elections as an assistant, worker etc). In such kind of Web site we can see a hidden message. An additional stimulus for voting ideas appears in heads of young voters, who don’t have a correspondent age. Therefore a certain pressure is made on young brains. Another Web site of The Youth Vote Coalition (www.youthvote.org) increases political interest and involvement in the process of elections. Therefore ethical information is an ambiguous question. Of course, it’s necessary to develop youth consciousness, responsibility and stimulate them to take part in political life of the country. But it is important to know the limit of unobtrusive propagation and refer to acceptable methods of influence. Conclusion Voting behaviour of youth (ages 18-24) shows dramatic changes in different time periods. A quantity of voting youth has steadily declining since 1972 till 2004, but in 2008 we can see not a decline, but a growth of number of young voters. There’s a growing tendency of increasing youth voting and participation in the elections. Appears a question: is it moral and legal to influence youth opinion? Ethical issues such as freedom of choice and a right to make a decision without any pressure are undermined. A kind of passive behaviour can be explained by a lack of necessary details on political programs of potential candidates. A proper term of “voter apathy” is proper with regards to voting behaviour of youth. Young people is a future of any country, thus a chance of will expression is high on the agenda for them. Ethical information is an ambiguous question. Of course, it’s necessary to develop youth consciousness, responsibility and stimulate them to take part in political life of the country. But it is important to know the limit of unobtrusive propagation and refer to acceptable methods of influence. The research of youth voting behaviour is many-sided issue with a lot of pitfalls. Youth is a future of the country; youth is a hope of the country. Politicians hope for favourable attitude and responsiveness of youth. Nevertheless as far as we can see, tendency of youth partake in voting fluctuates greatly. Such swings can be explained by economical, educational and social factors. Thus researchers often don’t pay proper attention to young citizens. They are said to be uninterested and disconnected from the political process. Such neglect can be offensive for youth. Thus they tend to “voter apathy” and not to active voting. Following Gans’ policy, youth can be more interested in elections. Furthermore, Communications plan showed a profound analysis and specific measures of active youth voting behaviour adoption. Youth have to be more informed and have a constant access to information of any candidate. Educational institutions should appoint mentors for a role of political enlightener, a teacher, whose clear explanation of the main political goals and programs in accessible form will explain any issues connected with the process of voting and elections. It is not until relevant and adequate political advertising youth behaviour can be changed from passive into active one. Data limitation and information deficiency influence voting rejection among youth. Nevertheless even development of organizations and coalitions directed on stimulation of youth voting behaviour isn’t always fruitful. Politicians will reap the fruits of their labour only after necessary involvement and interest of youth in politics. Works Cited 1. Carlos, R. et al. Youth Voting Behavior. Indiana State University COM 602 Methods of Research/Creativity (2004). 2. Drew, S., & Magnusson, P. “Will youth rock the vote this year?” Business Week 3870 (70) (2004): 38-70. Retrieved January 14, 2010 from Forum on Communication & National Service (2001): 2-3. 3. Gans. (1992). Turnout Tribulations. The Journal of State Government. 65(1) (1992): 12-14. 4. Gibson, C. Why America’s youth are not involved in political processes. Grantmaker Retrieved January 14, 2010,from 5. Richards, C. Chalk one up for young voters. Chicago Sun-Times. (2003, November 19). Read More