Politics on the Hudson

The number of young voters nationwide rose for the third time in as many presidential election cycles, according to a new analysis by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.

Voters under 30 who voted in 2008 increased by about 11 percent, while the number of older voters increased by 3 percent, according to newly released U.S. Census Bureau turnout data.

Between 2004 and 2008, turnout rates among young voters also rose, while those of older age groups remained steady or decreased.

Factors from increased attention paid to young voters by candidates, to the proliferation of technology in the lives of young voters, to a rise in civic engagement among young people, contributed to this surge, said Sujatha Jahagirdar, program director for the Student PIRGs’ New Voters Project.