This discrepancy magnifies the lack of impact and power young voters feel they have in today's politics. However, in the last gubernatorial election, Governor Christine Todd Whitman won by a near 30,000-vote margin, a number matched by the student population of Rutgers University. By registering to vote, young voters can force candidates to address their concerns and to recognize their generation as a strong constituent. By teaching students the skills to hold voter registration drives and to organize large events, this campaign engages students with the most basic step in involvement in the political process. This past fall, Vote NJ registered, educated and turned out to the polls young voters.
Results show an increase from the previous Presidential election in the number of youth voting.
Many students don't believe that they can make a difference if they vote. This election has proved to many people that every vote does count. The cornerstone of our efforts this semester is a statewide conference which will bring together our campus and statewide coalition partners this March. We will focus on increasing recognition of the coalition, and planning strategies for maximizing student involvement in the political process. More details will follow in the coming weeks, and all coalition partners are invited to attend.