Fundraising
During the election cycle, Barack Obama raised more than $650 million. Sen. John McCain raised more than $370 million. For Obama, a record number of campaign contributions were made via the Internet. The ability to use the campaign Web site to make contributions allowed individuals who might otherwise not contribute to easily do so. The result was a record number of small Internet donations from individuals. For the first time in history, it became the norm for a common person to give $5 or $10 dollars when they had a little bit of cash to spare. Incentives like Obama yard signs or bumper stickers were given out based on the amount of the contribution. Once an individual had contributed to the campaign, the Obama e-mail machine took over to remind that person that more contributions, no matter how small, would be helpful.

Voting
Although the 2008 presidential election did not live up to the predictions of many who claimed that it would have the highest voter turnout since the 19th century, it did see unprecedented levels of citizen participation in certain demographic areas. Among the most notable changes in electoral participation were increases in the percentage of young people and minorities who donated, volunteered and ultimately voted. The strategic use of technology played perhaps the largest role in boosting participation, particularly among the group of young people who check their e-mail, Facebook, and cell phones religiously.

According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), an estimated 22 million to 24 million young voters (ages 29 and under) turned out for the Nov. 4 election. That is at least a 2 million voter increase since 2004 and represents a total youth turnout rate of more than 50 percent. When compared with results from the 2000 presidential election, the 2008 results represent an increase of about 13 percent; 2008 had the highest level of youth voting since 1972.

Young voters showed overwhelming support for Barack Obama. Two out of every three young voters voted for him, including 76 percent of young Latinos, 95 percent of young African-Americans, and 54 percent of young whites, according to CNN exit polls.

Young people's enthusiasm was not limited to the general election. A record 6.5 million Americans under age 30 voted in the primaries. This is almost double the number who voted in the 2000 primary. Many experts associate this increase with the online infrastructure that many of the candidates built as a means to motivate young people. The youth vote was considered an essential factor in the Obama victory. Obama even went so far as to thank "the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy," in his victory speech on Election Day.

Additional Factors Contributing to Increased
Participation
An important complement to the online infrastructure the candidates set forth during this past election cycle was the on-the-ground infrastructure they put into place, particularly by Obama. In addition to getting out the youth vote, this grass-roots organization helped get out the minority vote in record numbers.

According to a preliminary analysis of exit polls, the African-American portion of the electorate grew from 11 percent in 2004 to 13 percent in 2008. The Latino share increased as well, with the number of voters in this group up by almost one-third.

The Obama system of grass-roots organizing was perfected with a system of intensive regional training camps designed to help his volunteers function with nearly professional proficiency. In doing so, Obama was able to, as the title of an internal campaign memo suggested, "turn enthusiasm into organization." At these camps, trainers encouraged volunteers to set up independent local offices that were able to give a personalized pitch based on local ideas or the most recent campaign development. This organization, coupled with endorsements from local politicians who gave Obama support in areas where he was not well known, was a fundamental reason for the exceptionally high turnout among minority and first-time voters.

Let's Get Political Quiz
Use this PBS-developed quiz with your middle and high school students. Based on their answers to 12 questions, a report is generated that describes the type of voters they would be. This activity is a great starting point for any lesson on voting and voter participation.