Political cartoon.

During the presidential campaign, political activists sought to energize voters under the age of 30. While 4.6 million more young people voted in this election than in 2000, their percentage of the total electorate only increased by 1.6 percent. For many people, the turnout was disappointing. Study the cartoon, and then answer the questions.

1. Who do the two figures in the cartoon represent?--

2. In which important event did the young person fail to participate? What clues support your answer?--

3. According to this cartoon, which presidential candidate was most affected by the disappointing turnout by young voters?--

4. What does the comment "Overslept again!!" say about the historical trend of young voters in the United States?--

5. What do you think can be done to get more young people involved in politics and voting?--

1. The person in bed is an 18- to 29-year-old voter. The angry figure, a donkey, represents the Democratic Party.

2. The young person missed Election Day and failed to vote. The newspaper headline and the date shown on the bedside calendar imply this.

3. By including a donkey, the mascot of the Democratic Party, the cartoonist indicates a belief that Senator Kerry was most affected by the low turnout among young voters.

4. Even though the percentage of young voters went up this year--to 51.6 percent from 42.3 percent in 2000--the numbers were far fewer than expected. The donkey's comment suggests the growing frustration that this age group creates through its continuing failure to vote.

5. Answers will vary.