WASHINGTON , Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A Rock the Vote poll
released today reveals young voters are energized and engaged in the 2008
elections like never before. The poll shows a strong and positive attitude
toward this election cycle: an overwhelming majority (89%) believe they
have the power to change our country and 75% believe young people are
making more of a difference than usual this election season. When asked
which candidate they would send to the White House if the presidential
election were held today, young voters favored Hillary Clinton (47%) over
John McCain (35%), and Barack Obama (57%) over John McCain (27%).



    Rock the Vote, in conjunction with The Tarrance Group and Lake Research
Partners, commissioned the first post-Super Tuesday poll of young adults,
coming on the heels of unprecedented young voter turnout in the 2008
primaries and caucus. Over seven million young adults have cast their
ballots in the early contests of the 2008 presidential election.



    "The country is finally witnessing what Rock the Vote has known since
2004 -- young voters are key in shaping the political landscape of our
country. They are showing up at the polls, getting their friends to vote,
and volunteering for campaigns in record numbers," said Heather Smith,
executive director of Rock the Vote. "Today's young adults are demanding
action in our country and making known they are an invaluable group for
candidates to win the election in November."



    Key findings from the survey include:

    -- Under-30 voters' top concerns include jobs and the economy (17%),
the war in Iraq (12%), health care (11%), and college affordability (10%).

    -- Young people are passionate and engaged about the election: 80% say
they are likely to vote in November and 69% are excited to vote this fall.

    -- When asked party affiliation, young voters considered themselves
Democrats (47%), Republicans (28%) and Independents (16%).

    -- Sixty-eight percent feel the direction of the country is on the
wrong track.

    -- Conversations with friends (60%), online videos (34%) and campaign
websites (24%) topped the list as resources young people use to obtain
information about Presidential candidates and the election.



    Rock the Vote is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization whose mission is
to engage and build political power for young people.

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