Celebrities can coax youth to vote, study shows

Initiatives by celebrities to persuade young people to vote have been successful, new research shows. The study, led by Erica Austin, researched the influence of "get out the vote" campaigns in 2004. It quoted a Pace University poll in 2004 which showed 44 percent of newly registered voters were ages 18 to 25. The study found that "the cause of this dramatic increase in voter participation of young people in 2004 can largely be attributed to celebrity get-out-the-vote promotions." The study contrasted with a number of other polls which indicated celebrity endorsements of presidential candidates were unlikely to sway votes. It said: "Celebrity endorsed campaigns successfully lowered complacency and helped young people believe in their own impact on the political system. Young people got involved at higher levels and became increasingly aware of societal issues."