“The establishment, the parties and the campaigns, are beginning to communicate in the medium that younger voters own, and that’s the internet,” said Trippi.
But aside from facilitating student voter organization, the internet’s rallying effect on anyone who isn’t already a political junkie is up for debate.
“I doubt that people who are not already interested in politics will be beating down the doors of these websites,” said Graff. “But on the other hand, people with a passing interest can have access to information that will whet their interest.”
While recent decades have seen a steady decline in youth turnout, a recent IOP poll reported that 72 percent of college students said they will “definitely” vote in this election, compared to 50 percent in 2000.
“If these young voters energized by the internet don’t turn actually out on Tuesday, then maybe this has all been a mirage,” said Trippi. “But if it’s what I think it is, the future of this society will be decided by the future of this society: young people.”
—Staff writer Irin Carmon can be reached at carmon@fas.harvard.edu.