---
title: "Youth Movement"
description: "Two-thirds of young voters backed Obama."
date: "2009-04-07"
authors:
  - name: "Pew Research Center"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2009/04/07/youth-movement/"
---

# Youth Movement

Barack Obama’s overwhelming support from young voters (age 18-29) was a critical factor in his victory over John McCain, carrying the age group by a 66%-to-32% margin according to exit polls. While young voters were John Kerry’s strongest age bracket four years ago, he drew a much narrower 54%-majority. And although Obama lost white voters to McCain 43% to 55%, younger white voters supported Obama by a 54%-to-44% margin, a 10-point gain from Kerry. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/1023/exit-poll-analysis-2008)