In the 2008 presidential election, 2 million more voters under age 30 voted than in the 2004 election. Young voter turnout was the third-highest since the voting age was lowered to 18. And these young voters came out disproportionately for then-Sen. Barack Obama, who promised to reinvigorate a sense of national hope, change the political discourse and make government better.

Young voters were sold on his inspirational language.