Candidates Long To Know What Young Voters Want. Why Not Just Ask?

By NPR Staff

Published November 14, 2015 at 4:05 PM CST

Michel Martin, speaking with panelists at Drake University about youth voting, on Nov. 10.

In 2008, one voting bloc in particular made a huge difference in the presidential election: young people. Young voters were a crucial part of the coalition that propelled President Obama to victory then.

But what about now? What issues matter to young voters this time around — and which candidates are doing the best job so far of speaking to those concerns?

To find out, earlier this week NPR's Michel Martin headed to Drake University in Des Moine, Iowa. There, she moderated a live panel with three politically active young people: Brandi Dye, a sophomore; Hector Salamanca Arroyo, a DREAMer whose family is from Mexico and who hopes one day to be eligible to vote; and Raymond Starks, a senior who supports the Republican party.

To hear the full event, click the link below. And below that, you'll find firsthand glimpses of the night as it unfolded.