Since 1971, when 18- to 20-year-olds were first given the right to vote, young voters’ participation in elections has plummeted. Nationally, youth voting has declined by 13%. Idaho has seen a 27% drop in youth voting over the past 20 years. Major public campaigns haven’t seemed to work; with the exception of 1992, when Rock the Vote first premiered, youth voting has been on the decline.

Yet polls show that young people say this election is more important to them. An April 2004 Harvard University survey of college students showed that 62% said they "definitely" planned to vote this November.

Our First Vote participants are definitely ready to exercise their right to vote, and encourage others to do so:

"I’m going to vote; I’m going to stand for something in my country," says Sara Goldstein, 19.

"You have to really ask yourself--who, where do I want to be, and what do I want to be in four years?" says Gunnar Larson, 19.