TIFTON, GA (WALB) -
With the primary election in just two days, many candidates are making a last second push to reel in voters.
One highly coveted demographic is younger voters. We spoke with some voters in their 20's to see what they want from elected officials.
Getting younger people to voting precincts is a goal for many politicians. One voter says many people his age tend to be more apathetic towards voting.
"A lot of people work hard to get universal suffrage," said voter Leroy Bagley. "I think it is very important to vote. I think that a lot of younger people don't like to vote or don't feel like their vote is worth anything because politicians don't actually connect with them."
By not connecting with voters 18 to 30 years old, many candidates alienate young professionals, but that can actually make them cast a ballot.
"The common complaint that you hear from people my age and a little bit older is that our voice is not heard and that sort of thing," said voter Jenna Saxon. "The answer to that is to go and vote, show that we are taking a stand and that we have a voice."
Many people say if you don't vote, then you should not complain about lawmakers, but that is not a universal belief.
"I believe that as an individual, you have your opinion and you are entitled to your opinion," Bagley said. "This is the country you live in. It is your decision based on if you want to vote or not. You can voice your opinion about anything you want to."
What topics appeal to younger voters? The lack of jobs and unstable economy are at the forefront.
"It's different now than even four years ago," Saxon said. "I have had several friends who have struggled in these hard economic times. Even friends who have tried for a year after graduation, it takes 12 or 13 months to be able to find a job."
Tuesday will bring about many tough decisions for some young voters.
"I don't feel like there is a politician that is actually like me, democrat or republican," said Bagley. "I don't feel like they connect with me, either side."
Candidates now have less than two days to make that connection.
Elections officials expect more younger voters to cast their ballots because it's a presidential election year. There was a 4% increase in voters from ages 18 to 29 between the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections.
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Leroy Bagley
Jenna Saxon
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