DES MOINES - Iowa's college campuses are buzzing with political activity after students got up close and personal with presidential candidates before the state's first-in-the-nation caucuses.

But it remains to be seen if that enthusiasm will translate into a strong showing on Election Day for a demographic that traditionally votes less often than older age groups.

Voting among citizens 18 to 24 surged 11 percent in the 2004 election compared to 2000, according to the nonpartisan Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.

But young voters still lagged behind older voting groups.

For example, 47 percent of 18-to-24-year-olds voted in 2004, compared to nearly 70 percent of 45-to-54-year-olds.

Josie Berg-Hammond, a Drake University sophomore from Oak Park, Illinois, has been volunteering for Democratic nominee Barack Obama's campaign in Iowa since last year.

Berg-Hammond said this year's election has inspired the average student to plug into the democratic process, not just political science majors and activists.

"Most people know who they're voting for, and they've gotten registered," she said. "Everybody's aware. Even if you meet someone who's not into politics they at least know when and where to vote and they know who they support and they know the issues."

She said students got to know the presidential candidates as they campaigned on college campuses across the state before the Iowa caucuses.

That level of access surprised many students, especially those from out of state who didn't know what to expect from the caucus process, she said.

"A lot of people who hadn't experienced them before were just kind of awestruck," Berg-Hammond said. "I thought it was so cool that politicians would stop and talk to us."

About 13 percent of young voters took part in the 2008 Iowa caucuses, compared to 4 percent in 2004 and 3 percent in 2000, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.

Berg-Hammond said Obama's personality has drawn many young voters into his camp.

She said students view Obama's message of change as an invitation to get politically active.

"I think he wants everyone involved, and, especially with students, that's something we want to feel," she said.

Eric Rossow, chairman of the College Republicans at the University of Iowa, said he isn't convinced that students will turn out in greater numbers than in previous elections.

Rossow said young voters don't have the track record to justify predictions of overwhelming turnout in November.

But he said Republican nominee John McCain's experience and willingness to reach across the aisle on thorny issues appeals to young voters.

"We know the country's in turmoil right now, and we see John McCain as someone who can unite people," he said.

Iowa Secretary of State Michael Mauro predicted higher than usual turnout among young voters, but he said that doesn't mean the demographic will have a stronger showing than older age groups.

Mauro said the accessibility of the candidates leading up to the caucuses drew in the younger crowd.

"I do think what you've seen out of the caucuses, you've seen that they're more engaged. They're more attuned to what's going on," he said.

Mauro, a Democrat, said Obama's campaign especially targeted students and young voters, and, now that he's won the Democratic nomination, those supporters will be even more energized.

Devren Hobbs, Iowa State University campus organizer for the Public Interest Research Group, said her organization is encouraging students to register in Ames rather than their hometowns.

That raises the likelihood that students will vote and means students don't have to get an absentee ballot from their home counties, Hobbs said.

She said students are picking up on the importance of this presidential campaign, especially because there's no incumbent on the ballot and the election will put someone new in the White House.

"We think that this November we can solidify the youth vote and be a serious political force," Hobbs said.

Ben Yeager, an ISU junior from Adel, said he's registered in Ames and plans to vote on Election Day.

Yeager said he's currently leaning toward Obama but he's still undecided, and the economy and environmental issues will largely determine how he votes.

"Obviously the economy's a big one because once I get out of here, I have to pay off loans and that sort of thing," he said.

But he said renewable energy and environmental protection will also factor into his decision.

Fred Love can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or fred.love@lee.net.

BREAKOUT:

Voter turnout by age group in 2004 election

18-24: 47 percent

25-34: 56 percent

35-44: 64 percent

45-54: 69 percent

55-64: 73 percent

65-74: 73 percent

75+: 69 percent

Source: The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement