While the 2008 election saw large numbers of young people get involved with politics, the 2012 election isn't generating the same interest from younger voters. Microsoft will host two live town hall events called Conversations with the Next Generation, which will attempt to get young people involved in the political process. The events will feature youth panels at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Aug. 29, and the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 5. Both events will be broadcast in real time on Xbox Live.
"We're going to be talking about the issues that impact young voters," said Lisa Stickan, chairwoman of the Young Republican National Federation. "There's a lot of talk about the youth vote. Typically there's a perception that younger people don't care and don't want to vote. We've seen that disproved in the past. It's important that we address those issues and give our voices a place at the table. The way people communicate changes from generation to generation. You have to go where people are in order to get the message to them."
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