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2/19/02: The Aging American Electorate

Discussion:  Data: US Statistical Abstract, 2001, table 401.  Turnout among those age 21 to 24 has dropped by half.   The increasing percentage of the population over 65 years of age, combined with their increasing turnout and the steady decline of younger voters' turnout represents a substantial change in the composition of the american electorate.  Note that 1972 was the first election that most 18-year olds could vote.

Key Question: Is it any wonder that Medicare prescription drug coverage was the only health care issue that received any serious attention in the last election?  With issues such as these, is it any wonder why young people do not vote?

note: Thanks to Jon Peltier for the "label last point" Excel macro.