Last modified: Sunday, October 5, 2008 2:14 AM EDT Young voters have increased their turnout by much more than any other age group. Wheaton students and first-time voters Tom Syverson, top, for McCain, and Gabe Amo, for Obama. (Staff photo by Mike George) Youth vote could be key BY MATT KAKLEY SUN CHRONICLE STAFF NORTON -- There's less than a month before this year's presidential election and Wheaton College junior Gabe Amo says he can't wait. "It's pretty special," said the 20-year-old Barack Obama supporter. "I'm hoping to take part in electing someone who will change the country." For Amo and many other college students, November's election will be the first time they can cast a ballot for president. "I'm excited to cast my vote in the biggest election I've voted in so far," said Tom Syverson, president of the Wheaton College Republicans and a John McCain supporter. It's been said time and again in previous election cycles that the youth vote would play a key role in deciding the winner, but with the rise of the charismatic Obama and the maverick McCain, it appears more and more young adults are paying attention to and participating in political discussions. "It's something you hear about all the time," Amo said. "It's not just on blogs or The New York Times, it's conversations everywhere." Syverson said his club saw membership double and other campus groups have seen their membership expand as interest in the election has intensified. The Wheaton College Republicans had doubled their normal turnout at their first meeting of the school year, Syverson said. "People always talk to me about" the election, Syverson said. "People are always talking about the latest polls or whatever story has been going on." As Obama and McCain guide their campaigns down the home-stretch, they will be reaching out to these young voters and hoping they turn up at the polls. And if the primary season was any indication, young people will be showing up in droves. Rock the Vote, a national organization that tries to register and inform young voters, compiled data from 24 states that shows a steep rise in turnout among voters ages 18 to 29. According to the data, in the 24 states where figures were available, almost 2.5 million more young voters participated in 2008 presidential primary elections than in the previous contested primaries - 2004 for Democrats and 2000 for Republicans. According to the data, Massachusetts saw about 120,000 more young voters turn out for February's Democratic presidential primary than in 2004, an increase of 217 percent. The state's Republican party also saw a rise in voter turnout, with 19,000, or 43 percent, more young voters hitting the polls than in 2000. While turnout has grown across all age groups, the rise among young voters has outpaced that of their older counterparts. According to Rock the Vote, Democrats ages 18-29, accounted for 9 percent of voter turnout in the 2004 Massachusetts primary. In 2008, however, they accounted for 14 percent of the turnout. On the Republican side, young people accounted for 9 percent of voters in 2000, but the number jumped to 13 percent in 2008, according to Rock the Vote. While college campuses traditionally are hotbeds of political activity, educators say what is happening this year goes beyond what they have seen in previous election cycles. "You always have a committed few," said Gerry Huiskamp, chairman of Wheaton's political science department. "Now, the tone is different, the commitment is deeper." Students have recently traveled to New Hampshire to canvas for both candidates in what is shaping up to be a battleground state. Huiskamp points to frustration amongst students with issues like the struggling economy and the Iraq war as reasons why so many students are getting involved with the election. Amo believes that this year, young voters are making their decisions based on the issues that are hitting close to home as they prepare to enter the real world. "Issues like college financing and the economy," he said. "In a short while, we'll be part of the work force." And Syverson might be a Republican, but said he thinks a desire to move on is fueling young voters as they prepare for the election. "Everyone is tired after the last eight years," he said. "Both Republicans and Democrats are ready for something new for the country." Rock the Vote surveyed voters between the ages of 18 and 29 and found that 47 percent identify themselves as Democrats, compared to the 28 percent that consider themselves Republicans. Huiskamp said that although the campus has many students and groups supporting both candidates, there do seem to be more Obama supporters at Wheaton. He said students see Obama as an agent of change in a time of domestic and foreign turmoil. Those students feel the country is going in the wrong direction and needs to be put back on track, he said. "Obama is able to give a voice to this movement," he said. "He stands as a touchstone for those feelings." But while more students may be supporting Obama, a sense of community has developed between the two sides. Groups on both sides have held registration drives focused on signing up students of both parties. "There's a larger spirit of putting service of country before party," Huiskamp said. Students have been holding forums and lecture series to let those interested learn more about the candidates and different issues. Ashley Kuhn, a 22-year-old senior at Wheaton who is supporting McCain, said not only are more students paying attention this year, but their knowledge of the candidates and the issues has grown. "I'm always asking people what they think and they actually have an opinion that is based on something," she said. "Everyone is learning more and more (about the candidates)." As the election draws nearer, the excitement level of the students continues to grow. Undecided voters continue to mull over their options and those supporting one of the candidates continue to spread their message. With less than a month to go, everyone's minds will keep turning to election and who will be moving into the White House. "People are very excited," Syverson said. "I'm definitely really psyched."