Poll: Lag in young voters' intentions to vote

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

(CBS News) With polls suggesting a neck-and-neck race for the presidency this fall, the Obama campaign is working hard to re-energize the youth vote, a key voting bloc that turned out in large numbers for the president in 2008. But a new Gallup survey suggests that voting intentions among young people are lagging compared to the last presidential election.

The Gallup poll, conducted from May 1-July 10 among 2,800 18- to 29-year-old registered voters, shows that only 58 percent of voters in that group say they are "definitely likely" to vote in November's presidential election. That's 20 points below the current national average, as well as 20 percent below the intentions expressed by 18- to 29-year-olds in October and November of 2008.

On average, 78 percent of registered voters say they are "definitely likely" to vote this fall. At 58 percent, young voters, who historically tend to favor Democratic candidates, were the least likely age sub-group to express that intention. Meanwhile older voters, who are more likely to skew Republican, were the most likely groups to express positive intentions to go to the polls: Eighty-five percent of voters between ages 50-64 and 65+ said they were definitely likely to vote.

Turnout intentions overall are lower than in the fall of 2008, when 85 percent of voters said they were definitely likely to vote.

According to Gallup, however, young people's voting intentions are likely to increase between now and November. Between June and October/November of 2008, the intent of people aged 18-29 to vote went up 9 points. In 2004, in the same period, it went up 20 points.

Minority voters, who helped propel Mr. Obama to victory in 2008, also appear less set on voting this time around. 76 percent of black registered voters say they're definitely likely to vote, down from 87 percent in October/November 2008, and 64 percent of Hispanic voters, who favor Mr. Obama by more than 2-1, say the same.

Both groups could experience upticks in voting intentions between June and November, as with young people, but Gallup data from past years shows no clear trend on that front.

[Casca0001]

NO FELONY FOR ENTERING AMERICA

If the Texas photo ID law goes down in flames, we must demand the Republicans pass THE LEGAL WORKFORCE BILL, known nationally as the mandatory E-Verify. Otherwise nothing will stop the barrage of millions more illegal aliens pouring over non-existent fences, along hundreds of miles of the border, plus the immediate enactment of the BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP BILL. American can no longer afford financially supporting illegal aliens anymore. They are coming here stealing low wage jobs of Americans and even teenagers who provide seasonal work.

The only answer to illegal immigration is "the People's TEA PARTY, for unlike the rhetoric of the Democrats and Republicans they will reverse Obama's back door amnesty, sue the cities and states with Sanctuary policies and take away federal funds. Mandated laws for illegal alien education, health care will be reassessed and any laws that contravene the 1986 Immigration Control and Reform Act as Obama's executive orders will be rescinded. Join the millions upon millions of Constitutional TEA PARTY people, who will put a stop to Obama's Czars Socialist-Marxist push for an open border agenda and the illegal votes that will be provided and the Republican's ideology to keep bringing millions of low skilled workers, for their corporate friends. We must rid this sovereign nation of the deep entrenched incumbents, except those who accomplish the American citizens-residents will. Shortly there will be a decision on the photo ID requirement, which is the only way to halt non-citizens, but mainly illegal aliens from voting. The TEA PARTY with enough politicians in Congress will enact E-Verify 'The Legal Workforce Act' (H.R. 2885) and the Rep. Steve Kings THE BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ACT (H.R.140). These two laws will alleviate the illegal immigration invasion.

Most Americans can understand that just like most of the industrialized nations, there is always room for the highest technical professions. The abbreviation 'STEM' relates to science, technology, engineering or mathematics positions that are a positive and essential requirement. However—8.4 percent of Americans jobless, or just given up the U.S. government should place every obstruction against those waiting to steal across our border, or land from a plane imitating a visitor and then just vanishing. We must question Obama when his administration begins advertising across the country, that food stamps are available for all. Such publicity is only going to attract unknown numbers of foreign nation, hoping to collect many of the free handouts. They say that fraud doesn't exist in the program, but now one in seven in America's population have been credited food stamps and uncountable numbers of the children of illegal aliens (foothold babies) are eligible. That's why it is time to enact 'THE BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ACT' without anymore hindrance.

What Eric Holder has failed to mention to the judges is that minorities and low income people can be issued a FREE ID document. This is based on the Indiana law, that in essence states, if you can't produce an authorized ID on Election Day, you will given a provisional ballot and have until noon 10 business days hence, that following the election to produce you're ID. The Texas ID law also states that if you meet certain income requirements, you can get a state issued ID card free of charge. Think about it, you have to show an ID to board a plane, send money, drive a car, and use your credit card or any number of reasons? This certainly denotes to me that since the Motor Voter bill in 1965, anybody can register to vote. Although it says under the penalty of perjury, my bet hundreds of thousands, maybe millions in overcrowded states as California and Nevada; illegal aliens are voting and will do so to maintain Obama in the White House.

Attention: Investigation of President Obama's background history is due to be released by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio on July 17, 2012 and could stun everybody. The upcoming press conference is set to be held at 2:30 p.m. local time at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office in Phoenix, Arizona, with World Net Daily again providing live streaming video coverage.

[CaptainSmollett]

It is no surprise that that the young are losing enthusiasm for Obama. Over half of recent college graduates are unemployed or working menial jobs, yet strapped with huge student loans. And that lack of opportunity can be traced directly to Obama's ideology and policies toward business and job creation.

[valjean7]

And it can equally, if not more, be attributed to a GOP controlled congress (house direct and Senate with filibuster)strategy to squelch economic progress, blame it on the president, and win the election this November.

[goat5691]

And the party of "NO" making a large contribution in Congress by not coming up with a job's bill to put people back to work because it would give credit to the President.

[magicbymark]

It's unfortunate that those with the most to lose are giving up without a fight. Just vote you slackers.

[valjean7]

Ballots need to include a NO option so if A convinces me B is unworthy I could vote against B without having to vote for A while squeezing my nose. The highest net yes wins.

[valjean7]

Ballots need to include a NO option so if A convinces me B is unworthy I could vote against B without having to vote for A while squeezing my nose. The highest net yes wins.

[SomeGuy83]

The 20% lag are the young Freedom-loving Ron Paul voters. What is the point of going to the polls if the only choice we are allowed to pick is banker puppet A ot banker puppet B. That's not an election that's just theatre...

[tarmin21]

I totally agree. These candidates have finally made me into a disillusioned youth.

[lesserof2evil]

Then don't vote and stop ********.