Young voters turn Democratic in Iowa, N.H.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- The 2008 presidential contests in Iowa and New Hampshire appear to show a Democratic advantage among young voters, at least those motivated to participate.

In Iowa, 52,580 voters ages 17 to 29 joined Democratic caucuses Jan. 3. That was four times the 12,650 in Republican caucuses, U.S. News and World Report said.

"In total, 22 percent of Democratic caucus-goers were young people, an increase from 17 percent in 2004 and 9 percent in 2000," a Democratic National Committee analysis said. "In contrast, only 11 percent of the Republican caucus-goers were young people."

The DNC found similar results in the New Hampshire primary.

"Sixty-one percent of youth voters supported Democrats over Republicans," the analysis said. "That's 43,753 young people going for Democrats and only 28,288 young people going for Republicans."

Turnout among teens and 20-somethings was 37 percent, compared to 18 percent in 2004 and 28 percent in 2000.

Republicans say many young people are attracted specifically to Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. If he loses the Democratic nomination, GOP analysts speculate those voters may stay home in November or even vote Republican.