Accessibility links
Election 2008: Voting Groups NPR looks at the key voting groups for election 2008, including white working-class voters, Hispanics and women.

Election 2008: Voting Groups

Voter Turnout In Election Falls Short Of Record

Close to 62 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots in last week's elections, says Curtis Gans, director of American University's Center for the Study of the American Electorate. The number is the highest since 1964, but short of the 67 percent turnout in 1960.

Voter Turnout In Election Falls Short Of Record

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96875236/96867478" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

America's Youth Vote Grows Up, Wields Power

Most pollsters agree that the youth vote in Election 2008 was at its highest in over 30 years. Just how much of a difference did the youth vote make? What does President-elect Obama need to deliver, in order to keep young people engaged?

America's Youth Vote Grows Up, Wields Power

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96869361/96869348" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Opinion

Stop-Lossing Capt. Rawlings

Making Sense Of The Election From Baghdad

While his family was at home watching the U.S. election results, Capt. Nate Rawlings was watching CNN on a military base in Iraq. He discusses his experience and his soldiers' reactions to Barack Obama's victory.

Making Sense Of The Election From Baghdad

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96702465/96702442" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Election 2008

Latino Voters Gave Obama Boost In Key States

Latino participation in the election increased dramatically in the Western states Democrats targeted. The Obama campaign, Spanish-language media outlets and unions pushed hard to get out the vote in Latino communities and the effort may have given him an edge.

Latino Voters Gave Obama Boost In Key States

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96662862/96670491" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Election 2008

When 'Christmas Eve' Turned Sour In Ohio

We spent Election Night with members of the local Republican party in Cuyahoga County. It was "Christmas Eve" for some until John McCain gave his concession speech. One black Republican woman explains why she is very worried about the future of the country.

When 'Christmas Eve' Turned Sour In Ohio

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96654169/96654143" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Election 2008

At 109, Slave's Daughter Revels In Historic Vote

Born in 1899 in central Texas, Amanda Jones is the living link between the time when a black man could be owned as property and when a black man could be elected president of the United States. She calls Barack Obama's election "a blessing."

At 109, Slave's Daughter Revels In Historic Vote

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96581933/96640322" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

For Some, Voting In Today's Election Is Extra Special

Among the expected record numbers voting in today's election, many are casting their ballots for the first time, while others haven't voted in decades. Ara Alan, Charles Badger and Hasan Zarif share their unique journeys to the polls, and why their participation is so heartfelt.

For Some, Voting In Today's Election Is Extra Special

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96568079/96568076" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

YR Media

Father And Son Talk Race In The Election

A young black man living in Oakland, Calif. asks his father if it's wrong that he decided to vote for Sen. Obama simply because he's black. His father's answer takes them both back to the Civil Rights Movement.

Father And Son Talk Race In The Election

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96510660/96510648" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

NAACP President On Safeguarding Your Vote

Election 2008 could break all voter turnout records, and many civil and voting rights groups — including the NAACP — are working to make sure every vote is counted. Farai Chideya speaks with NAACP President Benjamin Jealous about how people can protect their vote.

NAACP President On Safeguarding Your Vote

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96538068/96536785" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

YR Media

Election Tensions Erupt Between Teens

As presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain throw the final verbal punches at each other, one student sees a similar phenomenon at her small high school. Her classmates won't be able to cast votes this election, but that's not stopping these students in a hotly-contested state from having some heated encounters.

Election Tensions Erupt Between Teens

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96446778/96446743" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Election 2008: Voting Problems

Some Military Votes May Not Be Counted

"You're not going to believe this," a soldier told his wife, "we're not going to be allowed to vote for president." The mechanics of military voting are better than they used to be, but "better" doesn't always cut it in a war zone.

Some Military Votes May Not Be Counted

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96437123/96476926" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Election 2008

Voter Voices: Florida

With the election just days away, we sent our correspondents out to gather the opinions of voters in Virginia, New Mexico and Florida. Early voters in Miami share their thoughts in the days running up to the election.

Voter Voices: Florida

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96432092/96432067" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Election 2008

Voter Voices: New Mexico

With the election just days away, we sent our correspondents out to gather the opinions of voters in Virginia, New Mexico and Florida. Voters outside a post office in Albuquerque share their thoughts in the final days of the campaigns.

Voter Voices: New Mexico

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96432110/96432074" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Election 2008

Who Are The Undecided Voters?

Undecided voters are seen as a key group in next Tuesday's presidential election. Andrew Kohut, president of the Pew Research Center, says only half of all undecided voters are likely to vote. Many didn't vote in the primary, don't follow the news or don't give much thought to the election.

Who Are The Undecided Voters?

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96403104/96403086" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Election 2008

Undecided Voter Explains Dilemma

Constance Griffin, 35, says she is torn between John McCain and Barack Obama. Griffin, who works with Tennessee's Department of Corrections, says she likes McCain's history of service, bit isn't hearing much on the economy. She says she likes Obama's optimism, but is unsure of his plans.

Undecided Voter Explains Dilemma

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96403107/96403087" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Election 2008

Who Will Win Over Jewish Voters In Florida?

Jewish voters are being heavily courted by both presidential candidates. They mostly voted for Democrats until 2004, when Bush made inroads. Now, some say they're reluctant to support Obama given his stance on Palestinians and rumors about his faith.

Who Will Win Over Jewish Voters In Florida?

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96398742/96403088" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Election 2008

Victims Retaliate After Election Sign Thefts

Political sign stealing has become something of a problem this election year. In southern Michigan, campaign supporters are trying to get back at the thieves with techniques as varied as electric fences, grease and campaign donation promises.

Victims Retaliate After Election Sign Thefts

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96383393/96383366" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Election 2008

Talking Race And Slurs In Nevada

In Elko in rural Nevada, ther aren't many Democrats. Nonetheless, the Obama campaign has a well-organized presence there. We accompany some canvassers as they go door-to-door. Some of the resulting conversations include strong language.

Talking Race And Slurs In Nevada

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/96383381/96383362" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse archive or search npr.org