The youth vote

The idea of a “youth vote” has captivated every candidate for national office. And why not? The Commission on Elections says roughly half of the 50 million registered voters fall within the 18-33 year age bracket, making them, technically, members of the “youth sector.” If you can capture the imagination of the youth sector, the belief goes, then perhaps you can even bag the highest post in the land.

But is there really such a thing as a youth vote? When an 86-year old candidate dabbles in colegiala-speak, or pushes issues that should interest the youth, is he certain of getting the votes of “the young, the principled, and the idealistic?”

Our offering today is a closer look at the so-called youth vote, and whether it really translates into actual votes cast. Is the youth vote like a women’s vote, where voters’ shared interests do not necessarily translate into shared candidates? Or is it more like the much-vaunted Iglesia ni Cristo vote, the closest the Philippines has to a command or bloc vote? Is there any value in all the mock elections that were held in the major schools like the University of the Philippines and the University of Sto. Tomas?

This story was researched and written by interns of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ): Beatriz Bermundo, Katreena Cosme and Alexandra Francisco.