Weston, CT: In 2004, David was watching the presidential election with his friends, and noticed that the big news story of the night was the absence of young voters at the polls. Disappointed, David resolved to find out why young people weren't voting and rally young people across the U.S. to get politically active. He launched the only youth-run, national multi-media initiative for young voter registration, contributing to the highest registration of 18-22 year-old voters in history. His film, 18 in '08' helped him to register, engage, and mobilize an entire generation of young people.

Learn more about 18 in 08

Ways to get Involved in 18 in '08

• Host a movie screening of 18 in ’08 at your school
• Volunteer for 18 in '08

About Youth Voting and Political Activism

Young people have long been getting a bad reputation for being unaware and apathetic when it comes to politics, but this year young people voted by the millions to do something about this perception. They rallied other young voters and took to the polls to shatter this image.

In 2008, youth voter turnout in the primaries and caucuses leading up to the presidential election almost doubled compared to the 2000 primary season. This year, youth voter turnout rose for the third consecutive presidential election. 23 million people under the age of 30 votes--that’s 3.4 million more young people than the last election!

There are lots of ways to flex your political muscle besides voting in presidential election: being a savvy citizen means being aware of political issues year-round and taking part in elections on a local level too. And, if you take an interest in what’s going on Capital Hill now, you’ll be much more in-the-know when the next election comes around.

Ways to take action

• Register to vote
• Get involved in local politics
• Start a politics club at your school