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SOURCE:
J. Cherie Strachan, assistant professor of political
science
Central Michigan University
Office Phone: 989-774-3593
Cell Phone: 518-469-9031
E-mail:
strac1jc@cmich.edu
The highly contested race for
president has spurred a sharp increase in
participation from young voters. J. Cherie Strachan,
an authority on youth participation in American
politics, says that politicians may need to change
their approach, however, in order to keep this age
group engaged until November. She is available for
comment on the subject.
A few of Strachan's initial
thoughts on the subject:
- "Until the recent 2008
primary elections, youth voter turnout had been
in a near steady state of decline, falling about
15 percent since 18 year olds received the right
to vote in 1971. Yet young people have doubled
and even tripled their participation in some of
this season's key state primaries."
- "This participation may be
a sign that the millennial generation, who has
been very active in community service and
volunteering, has decided to focus its energies
on presidential politics as well."
- "Yet this generation is
especially alienated by divisive partisanship
and politics as usual. Hence, keeping them in
the political fold may require politicians to
change their approach."
Strachan is an American politics authority in the
areas of youth participation, civic education, local
campaign practices, and political culture and U.S.
governors. She is the author of "High-Tech Grass
Roots," which explores the use and effects of
sophisticated campaign practices in local parties.
She also has presented numerous papers at national
and international academic conferences, including
her research article "An Argument for Deliberative
Civic Education in the Political Science Classroom."
Her current research projects include investigating
the effects of different civic education messages on
young people and the norms of regional political
culture that promote democracy.
CMU Media Relations contact:
Heather Smith
989-774-1702
heather.smith@cmich.edu
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