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"This morning, you'll see a lot of focus on the fact that there was no disproportionate surge in youth turnout this election - it was up from 17% to 18% of the electorate."
This is similar to a lot of statements I heard in 2004. The problem is that it is a percentage of the total electorate, which on the whole had a surge in turnout (which you sort of addressed with the word "disproportionate"). So the fact that the youth vote made up any ground at all is, I think, evidence of a greater youth turnout than we've seen.
Instead of 17% of 122 million we see 18% of 133 million. That's an increase of almost 3.5 million voters in that age group.
I think this helps support your overall point. I am in this demographic and, anecdotally, I think this election was very different. I certainly saw a large increase in turnout in my age group. More importantly, the increase in enthusiasm will help the Dems for years. These facts, along with America's rapidly changing demographics away from strong-Republican groups, should worry Republicans immensely.
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