NAME _____________________________________________
“MILLENNIALS – YOUNG AMERICANS AND POLITICS”
OBJECTIVES: The students will be able to:
 To discuss the importance of voluntary individual participation in the
United States’ constitutional republic.
 To describe a millennial voter and analyze their voting tendency
Big Idea:
Presidential Elections get the most attention from voters and from the Media. Voter Turnout is
always higher in Presidential years. In spite of the fact that congressional elections are the
closest and most direct form of representation for the electorate, midterm elections tend to see a
significant drop in voter turnout. Mr. Haley used to refer to the 26th Amendment as being the 2nd
biggest waste of Constitutional time behind the 18th Amendment, Prohibition of Alcohol.
However, all that changed with the Election of 2008, Barack Obama vs. John McCain. Young
Voters made a serious impact in this election and put Barack Obama in the White House. The
Election of 2012 also saw a significant impact form young American Voters. The question now
is whether the Millennials will continue to be a force in American politics.
A MILLENNIAL is young person born between 1980 and 2000. They are basically Young
Americans who make up 25% of the US population. The size of the Millennial population is
even bigger than the famous Baby Boomer Generation that has dominated politics since the
1950s. The ultimate question is whether a group this large will play a significant role in politics
in the 21st century.
INSTRUCTIONS: The students are to watch the video and complete the questions below.
Over the weekend, examine the final question which we will discuss as a class on Monday.
“YOUNG AMERICANS AND POLITICS”
1. What is the size of the Millennial population in 2014?
2. What percentage of the Millennials are expected to vote in the upcoming Mid-Term Election?
3. How does this projected Millennial Turnout compare with 2012? And 2008?
4. List reasons why young Americans do not want to vote?
5. What issues are important to Young American Voters?
6. Why are Young Americans cynical (distrustful) about the American Government?
7. Are Young Americans basically just Apolitical (disinterested in politics)?
FINAL QUESTION – CLASS DISCUSSION ON MONDAY
WHAT HAS TO BE CHANGED ABOUT AMERICAN POLITICS TO GET YOUNG
AMERICANS ACTIVE IN POLITICS AGAIN – TO GET OVER THEIR DISTRUST?