Group Trying To Ignite More Interest Among Young Philadelphia Voters
By Justin Udo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A local voting advocacy group says a growing number of young adults in Philadelphia are not bothering to vote, so they are taking action to try to change that downward trend.
David Thornburgh, with the Committee of 70, says the numbers are dismal.
"Seventy percent of 18-24 year olds in Philadelphia have not voted in the last five elections," he points out.
Thornburgh says his group has been encouraging high schoolers to get involved in the election process by having them volunteer in teams at their local polling stations.
"This is our way of giving young voters a head start as they look toward maybe their first election," he tells KYW Newsradio, "a little peek behind the scenes to get them engaged. And it seems to be a great success."
He says they are working with dozens of students from six different Philadelphia high schools to get them excited about voting.