Now this is my kind of October surprise! Obama is going to take over campuses for early voting.
The president’s visit is part of a two-week get-out-the-vote effort on 34 Iowa college campuses, a campaign spokeswoman said. The campaign push will include an appearance by musician Bruce Springsteen in Ames Oct. 18. The appearances will be free and open to the public. Ticket information, timing and location will be released in coming days.
Estimates are that between one-third and two-fifths of Iowans will vote before Election Day Nov. 6. Early voting, which started Sept. 27 in Iowa, provides an opportunity for college students, many who are away from home and voting for the first time, to register and vote in person in a hassle-free environment, according to the Obama campaign. Election Day polling locations often are in areas unfamiliar – and frequently inconvenient — to students.
The votes in Ames will help Christie Vilsack expunge the shame of Steve King.
Four years ago, the youth vote was a key to Obama’s victory. The 2008 election, considered a record-breaking election year for most demographics, saw 63 percent turnout among young Iowa voters, according to the Obama campaign. That was second only to young voter turnout in Minnesota.
Obama’s national field director, Jeremy Bird, said 59 percent of Iowans registering to vote for the first time are younger than 30. In fact, more than four in five new registrants are women, young people and minorities, he said.
Why do I have a hunch that Iowa is not the only state that will see such a focus on the rising generation?
Obama campaign news release:
DES MOINES - #CampusTakeover is coming! This week, an unprecedented early vote operation will take place on college campuses across the state. At community colleges, private colleges and Universities, the Obama campaign is organizing voters for a record number of satellite voting locations between now and Election Day for students and the campus community. Early voting is a simple and easy way to make sure young people have their voice heard in this election.
Actor Justin Long, Congressman Braley, President Obama and Bruce Springsteen will join #CampusTakeover events to encourage early voting and talk about key issues impacting young Americans like President Obama’s plan to make college more affordable, expanding access to quality health care, equal rights and creating new job opportunities for graduates.
Long and Rep. Braley will visit campuses, phone banks and voter registration drives. The President will deliver remarks at a grassroots event at Cornell College on Wednesday, October 17. Bruce Springsteen will appear at Ames on Thursday, October 18. Several campuses will also have special guest appearances by Green Man.