Web tool of choice for Young Voters

On the statewide level, it still takes "dedicated young folks" to get the word out, but the Internet has helped jump-start interest, said Rob Baker, organizing director for the national League of Young Voters.

Alcorn State University students Kris Thigpen of Taylorsville and Justin Jackson of Tupelo use a laptop computer to look up Web sites of Mississippi political candidates during a "get out the vote" rally sponsored by the ASU chapter of Young Democrats.

Young voters may not be putting out yard signs or signing paper petitions, but don't count them out when it's time to go to the polls, Irene Miller says.

"It's hard to get kids to do something like write a letter to the editor because that's old-school," said Miller, 21, a senior at the Mississippi University for Women and president of the Young Democrats chapter there. "That doesn't mean they're apathetic. They're out there; they're just online."

With the general election on Tuesday, statewide candidates have been pulling out all the stops in traditional ways such as TV spots and mailbox fliers to nab voters.

For young voters, however, they have coupled newfangled approaches with old standby strategies.

They're using a medium national political figures already have been trying: Web sites directed toward a younger demographic.

Young voters say they're returning the favor by getting involved in new ways, replaying advertisements on YouTube and blogging about the issues on Facebook and other sites.

"Some of these things don't cost candidates a dime, but they can really get their message out," said Richard Walters, 18, a first-year student at the University of Mississippi and vice chair of the state College Republicans.

An estimated 440,000 Mississippians between 18 and 29 years of age were eligible to vote in the 2006 mid-term elections, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, based at the University of Maryland.

In 2004, turnout was 52 percent among young Mississippians, increasing 7 percent from the 2000 presidential election.

Across the nation, gubernatorial and local races have traditionally seen lower turnouts among all age groups.

On the statewide level, it still takes "dedicated young folks" to get the word out, but the Internet has helped jump-start interest, said Rob Baker, organizing director for the national League of Young Voters.

Millsaps College senior Kyle Doherty, 21, agrees.

"Something like commissioner of agriculture, a lot of people just don't know about that," said Doherty, a member of the Young Democrats chapter. "But put it on Facebook or MySpace, and we'll see it."

Do a search on Facebook, an online networking site, and you'll find personal profiles listing resume and platform points for candidates such as Democratic gubernatorial nominee John Arthur Eaves Jr.

Supporters also have set up information about candidates, such as "I support Governor Barbour!" formed to back Republican incumbent Haley Barbour's bid for re-election.

Barbour, a former Washington lobbyist, faces Eaves, a trial lawyer, on Tuesday.

YouTube, where you can replay TV advertisements or watch the candidate forum you missed, is another example of how candidates are trying to reach out to young voters, said Mississippi College junior Taylor Ray.

"When the candidates use these Web sites, it makes us feel like they're making an effort and they care about what we think," said Ray, 20, a member of the College Republicans chapter.

Several collegiate party chapters even operate blogs discussing a range of issues, including the environment, job creation and family values.

Earlier this year, invitations were sent out by e-mail only for a young professionals fundraising event in support of Barbour, campaign spokesman Brian Perry said.

"If they'd have gotten the invitation in the mail, they would have dropped it in the trash," he said. "These young professionals are mobile."

E-mail blasts to members of Young Democrats throughout the state have been common in the Eaves campaign, spokeswoman Sharon Garrison said in a written statement.

Visits to college campuses throughout the state and recruiting young volunteers also have been an important part of both campaigns.

Outside of the online realm, others said educating teens about politics before they reach voting age can help increase participation.

Since 1996, Secretary of State Eric Clark has put on a mock-election program for K-12 students called Promote the Vote.

More than 1 million students have participated, according to Clark's office.

Other groups, such as the Tupelo Teenage Republicans, can help introduce students in high school to players on the local and statewide level as well.

"I find that a lot of kids who come ... are really interested in knowing what's going on in government," said Jimmy Stephens, who leads the group.

In the end, it takes some sort of motivation to get young voters to the polls, though, said state Rep. Erik Fleming, D-Jackson.

"Something like the Iraq War motivates young people because they're making a decision to go. They have friends they know who are going," said Fleming, who started the first chapter of Young Democrats at Jackson State University in 1985.

Walters agreed, adding that the more young adults who turn out, the more likely politicians are to pay attention.

"If we don't vote, the politicians aren't going to listen to us," he said. "Why should they do something for nothing?"