The voting age was extended to citizens 18 to 21 amid general expectations that this would produce significant changes. In fact, they have proved even more apathetic than their elders, but a recent survey suggests that this non-participation may be coming to an end. PNS corespondent Twitch is on the staff of YO! (Youth Outlook), a newspaper by and about young people published by Pacific News Service.

Want to know where young people stand on the issues? You won't learn much from Tuesday's elections.

"Only an estimated 20% of 18-24 year olds voted," says Sandy Hurwitt, director of First Vote based in Washington DC. "In other words, 80% of the youngest voters were on the sidelines."

But a recent poll shows that young people do care about political issues. Indeed, the upcoming generation of voters seems ready and eager to express its opinions at the ballot box.

The poll, titled Youth Vote 98, conducted by Coleman Advocates For Youth and Children, involved San Francisco residents of high school age. Their responses show not only where tomorrow's voters stand, but also that they are more than ready to be a part of the political process when it comes to issues that directly affect them.

As expected, the poll results reflect general voting trends, with the majority expressing support for Democratic candidates.

More important and instructive, however, are the responses showing opinions and concerns about such issues as juvenile crime legislation, and educational policies.

Of those polled, 75% oppose the privatization of public schools, (in June, the city's School Board voted 4-2 to turn a city elementary school over to the for-profit, New York based Edison Project). Asked how to make their schools better learning environments, respondents most often speak of improved infrastructure and newer books.

The strongest responses involve questions on juvenile justice. Of those surveyed, 73% say minors should not be housed in adult facilities -- as proposed in one Senate Bill last year -- and 77% say minors should not be executed.

In California 8,139 young people age 14 to 25 are held in Youth Authority prisons, and minors are now being given the life sentences that were reserved for those over 18.

"Youth Vote is a chance for young people to voice there opinions and priorities on how the adults should be voting," says Nancy Hernandez of Coleman Advocates, "because youth are generally not considered to have the mentality of an adult unless they are committing a crime."

In fact, the poll shows clearly that many young people are ready to take on adult responsibilities in politics. More than half say that participation in the poll makes them even more likely to vote when they turn 18, and nearly half (44%) say they would be interested in serving on city boards and commissions which deal with youth. Students also favor expanding the power of student governments so they can help shape school practices and policies. The Coleman Poll findings should be required reading for anyone who wants to know what young people think about public policy -- especially those who won the elections on November 3.