Field Update: Youth Turnout Strong, Problems at VA Tech

We're hearing from Rock the Vote organizers and volunteers in the field that early turnout at youth-dense precincts across the country is strong!

We have people on the ground in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Florida, and elsewhere - early numbers, photos, and video from polling places in these states show long lines and big numbers of young voters. For example:

• At Drexel University in Philadelphia, 395 people had already voted by 11:45 am, with another 179 in line. Compare this to 2004, when 425 people total voted in that same precinct all day!

• At Penn State, 1,000 students were in line this morning, and turnout is exceeding what it was this early in the day in 2004. Check out photos of voters in line here.

“Early tallies in youth dense precincts indicate that young people are taking their enthusiasm to the ballot box,” said Heather Smith, Executive Director of Rock the Vote. “Get Out the Vote efforts across the country, on the ground, and through mobile and online technology are bolstering the turnout we are seeing in Virginia and Pennsylvania this morning.”

Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, young adults are also facing obstacles in trying to vote today.

More than 5,600 people, mainly Virginia Tech students - who faced voting rights violations already this year - are registered to vote at precinct E1 in Blacksburg in Montgomery County in Virginia. That number is nearly double what the state law allows for polling stations - to make matters worse, the poll place is 6.5 miles from campus and has almost no parking.

Despite this, young adults are organizing their peers to get to the polls and arriving today to the polling place in large numbers, according to those on the ground.

“The long lines in Blacksburg are filled with excited new and young voters, many Virginia Tech students,” said Rock the Vote’s Amanda Eckerson, on site in Virginia today. “Today we are seeing young people in Virginia and across the country casting ballots despite poor logistical planning, long lines and bad weather.”

More updates to come! Visit www.rockthevote.com for voter stories from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and elsewhere.