news-record.com

GREENSBORO — Young voters are turning out in droves this election year, and some observers think it will lead to increased participation over their lifetimes.

“Once you start voting, you keep voting,” said Guilford County Board of Elections Director George Gilbert. 

He said the youth vote has been strong since the 2004 presidential election, but he thinks this year will surpass those numbers.

Doug Lewis, director of the National Association of State Election Directors, likened the excitement around this presidential election to that of the Kennedy/Nixon election. Lewis said while not every young person who voted in that election continued to vote, plenty did.

“Voting is a learned behavior, it’s not innate. The sooner you can get habits formed for the behavior the better,” he said.

That’s been true for Kevin Mitchell.

Mitchell has waited four years for his chance to cast a ballot in the presidential election. Politically active since high school, Mitchell, 21, turned 18 six months after the 2004 election and has voted twice since coming of age.

“I was probably more disappointed than most kids are,” he said of missing the 2004 vote.

Mitchell, a Republican finds voting for president is a different experience altogether. He waited in line for 90 minutes on Monday to early vote.

“It’s definitely a rite of passage,” Mitchell said, putting it alongside getting a drivers license and becoming old enough to buy alcohol.

UNCG freshman Patience Tinsley agrees.

“Now I feel like a grown up,” Tinsley said. “I feel like I get to have a say in what happens in my country.”

Tinsley remembers thinking about the election back in the spring as her high school graduation approached. Just 17 at the time, Tinsley said she got worried her September birthday would keep her from voting and was thrilled when she learned it wouldn’t.

Still, Lewis said those connected to elections — including candidates, campaign and election officials — have to do their part to make young and first-time voters feel connected.

And what if those new voters are disappointed by the outcome? What if the candidate or issue that got them involved loses? At least some young voters said it will motivate them more.

“I’ll work harder,” said Shawnda Martin.

Martin, 20, a political science major at UNCG, initially struggles to pinpoint what motivated her to vote early this week. Starting and stopping her sentences several times, Martin finally answers, “Obama, basically.”

Martin has worked with Sen. Barack Obama’s local campaign office since March. She says the Illinois senator is the first politician she’s truly believed in but adds, because of his campaign, she’s become educated on state and local elections as well.

Contact J. Brian Ewing at 373-7351 or brian.ewing@news-record.com.