In 2008, Iowa youth has a strong voice in Iowa politics. Record numbers of students turned out for the caucuses in January, and participated in the general election. They stood up and demanded a change.

Thousands of young people took part in early voting this year. A record number of students turned out at early voting locations on college campuses across the state. Overall, turnout increased all over the state.For instance, youth turnout increased by 39% at Iowa State University according to Iowa PIRG.

College and Young Democrats of Iowa played an active role in their community by volunteering for Barack Obama and local candidates. New Young Democrats chapters at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids and Spencer High School knocked doors and made phone calls. Students devoted their time and energy with the belief they could create positive change.

College Democrats from across the state came together to help get out the vote on campus. 20 students from Grinnell College traveled to William Penn University in Oskaloosa to help the William Penn Campus Democrats get students out to early vote. Over 70 students voted over three days, most of them for the first time in their life.

The Iowa House of Representatives passed landmark health care reform this morning that would significantly expand health care coverage for young Iowans. Among other provisions, the act would allow young Iowans up to the age of 26 to maintain coverage under their family policies.

“Iowa Democrats continue to deliver for young people. After slowing tuition rate increases, increasing funding for education and investigating student lending abuses, Democrats are working to protect young Iowans’ health,” said College & Young Democrats of Iowa president Alec Schierenbeck, “It’s no surprise that the overwhelming majority of young Iowans support Democrats.”

Across America, more than 13 million people between the ages of 18-29 live without health coverage. Even college educated young people often find it difficult to secure health coverage in their first few years in the workforce.

“By helping thousands of young people secure health insurance, we are sending the message that Iowa is a great place for young people to live,” said College & Young Democrats vice president Maggie Abney.

If the proposal becomes law, Iowa will join 17 other states that have expanded protections for young people by allowing them to maintain coverage under family policies.

Before January 3rd, few thought it could happen. Pundits said that Iowa is an old state dominated by long-time activists. While young people could join Facebook groups and put signs on dorm walls, they wouldn’t stand up and caucus on a cold night in January. Cynics said that their pessimism was justified by history – every election, they reported, one candidate foolishly counted on young people and came up short. They were convinced: with the caucuses held just after the New Year and during many colleges’ winter break, young people would fail to make an impact.

Those pundits must have missed the young faces at political rallies all over Iowa. They must not have heard the young voices making phone calls or witnessed the students knocking on doors in the snow during exam week. They couldn’t have seen or heard those young people because if they had – if they had taken one step onto a campus in Iowa last December – they would have realized that something special was happening and that their histories of disappointing youth turnout dreams didn’t apply in 2008.

All over the state, young people were sick and tired of the inequity and incompetence of the Bush a dministration. More importantly, the Democratic Party provided a compelling vision for America that spoke to the aspirations of our generation. The excitement on campuses this year was palpable. College Democrats chapters registered new voters in large numbers – one chapter at the University of Iowa registered 4,000 voters in one week. New chapters sprung up at community colleges that are traditionally difficult to organize. To make sure everyone could participate, our organization pressured school administrations across the state to open dorms early so that students could return to campus and caucus. And when some questioned the right of students to caucus, our organization stood up and fought to make clear to everyone that a student’s right to vote is uncontestable.

On caucus night, our generation proved the conventional wisdom about young people wrong. 52,000 young Democrats caucused – 30,000 more than caucused in 2004. In contrast, only a fifth as many young people showed up at the Republican caucus. Over all, youth turnout more than tripled from 2004, meaning that twenty-two percent of Democratic caucus-goers were 17-29 years old. Incredibly, young people turned out in record numbers despite the early caucus date that fell in the middle of many schools’ winter break.

At schools like Grinnell College, where most students are originally from out of state, the College Democrats organized carpools from around the country to help students caucus. Students from as far away as California, New York, Florida and Colorado drove thousands of miles just to stand with their communities and help choose our party’s nominee. After the caucus, Grinnell students spent the night in sleeping bags on a cold gym floor before turning around and driving back. Those students’ dedication to progressive politics and civic engagement will help bury the idea that our generation is apathetic and that young people cannot move elections. The caucuses prove it: if a party stands for young people, young people will stand up.