Not too long ago, many assumed that the nominations would be decided on Super Tuesday and contests following Feb. 5 would be essentially irrelevant. This is clearly not the case anymore. Wisconsinites, and Madison residents in particular, can sense a palpable excitement concerning next week’s presidential primaries.

Tuesday night thousands of students packed the Kohl Center to hear U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speak. According to some event attendees, the Kohl Center has never been more packed. There was not an empty seat in the house; supporters packed the aisles on the upper decks; there was an overflow room for those who would not fit in the 17,000-seat Kohl Center—many more were turned away.

On a smaller scale, students packed Memorial Union Monday to see Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of presidential candidate Sen.Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., speak on a range of issues.

The student excitement in Wisconsin and at these two events mirrors a dramatic nationwide increase in participation by young voters this election cycle.

Across the nation, youth turnout in the primaries and caucuses has increased dramatically compared to the 2000 and ’04 elections. With the exception of one primary, youth turnout has increased in every primary and caucus this election cycle compared to 2000 levels. In Missouri, Obama rode the support of two-thirds of young voters to a narrow victory over Clinton.

According to a 2000 poll, 13 percent of 18-to-29-year-olds said they were paying attention to the presidential campaigns. This year, a poll at a comparable time in the campaign found 74 percent of young people were following the campaigns.

Students in Madison, Milwaukee and La Crosse, as usual, have a chance to determine the outcome of next Tuesday’s election. And state officials expect the highest turnout in nearly 20 years. However, the cynics, as Obama would say, figure you won’t show up to vote next Tuesday. Prove them wrong.