Youth Voting Expert Molly Andolina Speaks at SU April 15

SALISBURY, MD---In an election year full of surprises, an invigorated voter turnout among young adults might be the deciding factor in this year’s presidential election.

Dr. Molly Andolina, a youth voting expert and political science professor from DePaul University, speaks on “Young Adults: What Do They Value? Will They Vote?” 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, in the Worcester Room of the Commons at Salisbury University. Her talk includes information on the effect of youth voter trends among GenXers, born between 1965 and 1976, and DotNets, born after 1976-1994.

“Today’s young adults, especially college students, seemed really tuned in to this year’s presidential race and excited about voting,” said Dr. Frances Kane, co-director of the Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (PACE), which sponsors the talk.

Andolina is the co-author of the new book, A New Engagement? Political Participation, Civic Life and the Changing American Citizen. Her book examines shifting patterns of civic engagement among GenXers and DotNets and how Americans under 30 are reshaping today’s political landscape.

A native Marylander, Andolina is a former research director of Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, a non-partisan group that studies the public’s attitudes and behavior. She also served as a poll analyst for NBC News in the 2000, 2002 and 2004 elections.

Her talk is free and the public is invited. For more information call 410-677-5045 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.