MEADVILLE, Pa. – Nov. 4, 2008 – “Elections are democracy’s feast, but for decades young Americans were content to sit at the side table, off in the corner. Not this time,” said Daniel M. Shea, professor of political science and director of the Center for Political Participation at Allegheny College. “They’re at the head table, demanding their share. Make no mistake about it—young voters have changed the course of American history.”
Shea points to the high levels of engagement among young citizens, which range from voting to volunteer work to keeping informed. Twice as many of those under 30, for example, turned out in Democratic and Republican primaries and caucuses in 2008 than in 2004. And, on both sides of the isle, their share of the vote increased in almost every contest. In the Iowa Democratic caucus, a key state for Barack Obama, the share of those under 30 rose from 17 percent in 2004 to 22 percent in 2008. In Georgia it climbed from 11 percent to 18 percent; in New York from 8 percent to 15 percent; and in Oklahoma from 9 percent to 14 percent.
“We often think of young voters as only playing a key role in the Democratic contest,” said Shea. “But in the California GOP primary, young voters carried the day for John McCain.”
Beyond the mushrooming levels of involvement among young voters, Shea also suggests they have changed the very nature of campaigning in America.
“Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, BlackPlanet and much else, this tech-savvy generation has forever redefined the way candidates reach voters and the way activists make a difference.”
Shea also noted the high level of knowledge among young voters.
“I dare say that no other cohort of young voters has ever been better informed, more knowledgeable about the candidates and issues than young voters in this election. Apathetic, indifferent, unaware? Not this time.”
Daniel M. Shea
Professor of Political Science
Director of the Center for Political Participation at Allegheny College
An expert on American electoral politics, especially as it relates to young voters, Shea is a reliable resource for journalists worldwide, having provided insight to reporting for news organizations including the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Gannett and McClatchy, as well as for specific publications including The New York Times, Washington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, Post-Gazette, Roll Call, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Dallas Morning News, Campaigns & Elections, Salon.com and others.
Shea has written or edited 12 books on the American electoral process. His most recent project, Living Democracy (Prentice Hall, 2007), is a text on American government designed to inspire young Americans to become more engaged in the political process. In 2007 Shea also edited, with John C. Green, The Fountain of Youth: Strategies and Tactics for Mobilizing America’s Young Voters (Rowman and Littlefield).
In 2002 Shea founded Allegheny College’s Center for Political Participation, which is dedicated to fostering an appreciation for the vital link between an engaged, active citizenry and a healthy democracy.
He teaches courses in American politics, parties and elections, Congress, the presidency, research methods, politics of the media, and pop culture and politics, as well as seminars in civic engagement and the contemporary election process.
Shea has served as a professor at Lafayette College and the University of Akron and has worked in politics with the New York State Assembly. He has a bachelor of arts in political science and American studies from the State University of New York at Oswego and a master of arts in campaign management/applied politics from the University of West Florida. He earned a Ph.D. in political science from the State University of New York at Albany.
To arrange an interview with Professor Shea, please call the Center for Political Participation at (814) 332-6202 or the Allegheny College Office of Public Affairs at (814) 332-6755 or (814) 397-9959.