Young voters will be particularly interested in your positions on the issues and in your background, experience and record.   At any given time, they express concerns about essentially the same issues as older voters, so you don't have to develop a separate platform of young voter issues. For example, in November 2003, those issues were the economy/jobs, education, Iraq/terrorism, and health care, just as they were for older voters. What is important is the way you approach young voters—how and where you meet with them; the way you present yourself; how well you listen to them. In this respect, they are different from older voters, and your success with them will depend in part on how you handle these differences. Your positions Your statements on the issues are the most important factor for them in deciding how they vote and should be prominent in all communications targeted to them. Emails with your issue positions are among the popular ways to reach them via the Internet. Highlight issues with immediate impact on young adults' lives, communities and families and issues in which you have a personal stake, such as your own reliance on student aid or your early experience getting a job. Your background, record and experience Independence: Emphasize occasions when you have faced down powerful interests and stood up for what you believe is right. From a long list of positive attributes, young adults pick this as the most compelling.   Community volunteering: Talk about your (non-political) volunteer service, especially when helping the community and your efforts to help out in the community that predate your campaign. A history of volunteer work is effective to establish common ground with young adults, who can identify with volunteering themselves.   Problem solving: Young adults are skeptical about politics making a difference, and need concrete examples. So, cite times when you got things done, especially when you crossed party lines to do it. If you have held elected or appointed office, be sure to lay out your record of achievement. Your approach Authenticity: Young adults crave authenticity and honesty, and can smell phoniness a mile away. They often see politicians as promising things they can't deliver, and they will value someone who says they don't have all the answers. Just be yourself and you'll actually appeal more to young voters.   Good listening: When you meet with young adults, have real conversations with them. Ask them questions, and listen and learn from them. They aren't there just to hear you—they want you to pay attention to them, too.   Commitment to young voters: Make the effort to take issues to young adults in forums, debates and campus visits. If feasible, pledge to visit every college and high school in the district and feature the pledge in campaigning with young adults.   Non-partisanship: Avoid gratuitous partisan attacks—most young adults don't like or understand partisan sniping. Remember one of the most important factors in deciding their vote is whether a candidate can show an ability to get things done, especially working across party lines. (This fits with their weaker party loyalty and minimal grhtml of the differences between the parties.) Talk about how you and your opponent differ on the issues, but partisan fights don't square with these voters' more idealistic expectations.