While in Canada, 38% per cent of people between 18 and 24 voted in 2004, an improvement from 25% in 2000. In US, voter turnout among young people, just in the primaries, has been doubling, tripling, and quadrupling compared to previous voter turnouts (which was around 50% on average already). Young people are getting registered, voting, volunteering, phoning, door knocking, facebooking, youtubeing, myspacing, blogging, etc. because they think its important. In fact (sit down for this one), majority of the US youth polled said that they are “EXCITED” to vote.

Whats the secret? Inspiration not discouragement. Positive politics not petty politics. Hope not fear. Leadership not politicking. The Issues: Education (access not a debt sentence), Environment (climate change), and Economy (jobs, jobs, jobs) not petty scandals, corruption, and broken promises.

Apathetic youth? I don’t think so. Just ask Barack Obama who owes some of his close wins to people under 25. Just take a look at these two students who may hold the crucial votes needed for the next Democratic nominee.