The youth vote
Re “Rock the Vote Is Stuck in a Hard Place,” Feb. 7
Rock the Vote has been an essential element in the nationwide effort to raise the voting percentage among young people. The Times’ decision to focus on internal organizational squabbles is a disservice to the hundreds of thousands of donated hours by Rock the Vote volunteers who have tried to make voting sexy. The more interesting story is how Rock the Vote has taught both major political parties to start taking young voters seriously.
ADAM WERBACH
San Francisco
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The Times states that it’s hard to know what kind of effect the youth voting group has had. But one thing is certain: Part of the problem of youth nonparticipation in presidential elections falls squarely at the feet of the electoral college.
The youth vote did surge in 2004 -- but exclusively in swing states. In fact, the 10 states where the youth vote declined the most since 1972, when 18-year-olds won the right to vote, were all safe states.
Both young and old residents of spectator states such as California sense their votes count for little in choosing a president. They’re right.
Only a national popular vote can open up this locked-down system and make votes count everywhere.
CHRISTOPHER PEARSON
Director, Presidential Elections
Reform Program, FairVote --
Center for Voting and Democracy
Washington
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