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Young voters independent minded

By Howard B. Owens

Voter registration, we hear, is on the rise, and much of it is driven by first-time voters, young voters signing up for the first time.

Consensus thinking seems to be, this benefits Obama.

Don't count on it.  A GateHouse News Service story suggests that young voters shy away from strong party affiliation.

“There are so many things wrong with the Republicans and Democrats that, picking a party, I couldn’t even fathom picking a party,” said Chad Stenberg, a 24-year-old teacher from Rockford.

That was the overwhelming message heard during a two-day tour last week of three Illinois cities — Rockford, DeKalb and Normal — to find out what’s important to young voters and why.

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