Short Answer
The analysis reveals that young voters predominantly favor Democratic candidates, with 65% supporting them in 2008 and 60% in 2012, while Republican support grew from 30% to 35%. A bar graph visually represents these trends, emphasizing the consistent preference of youth for Democrats over the years.
Step 1: Understand the Youth Voting Trend
The analysis of recent presidential elections shows a distinct pattern in the voting behavior of young voters. It is important to note that a significant majority of these voters tend to prefer the Democratic candidates. Specifically, empirical data indicates that in the years 2008 and 2012, the youth vote leaned heavily toward the Democratic party, revealing a consistent trend that is critical to understanding electoral dynamics.
Step 2: Analyze the Bar Graph Representation
The bar graph serves as a visual tool to compare voting preferences across different electoral years. On the graph, the x-axis displays election years, while the y-axis indicates the percentage of voters. The heights of the rectangular bars represent these percentages, making it easier to discern how many young voters supported each party over time. Key observations can be made from the graph regarding voting patterns.
Step 3: Conclude the Voting Preferences
Upon examining the data from the graph, it is clear that there is a strong preference among young voters for Democratic candidates. In 2008, 65% supported Democrats versus a mere 30% for Republicans. By 2012, the Democratic support slightly decreased to 60%, while Republican support increased to 35%. This trend highlights that most young voters consistently favor Democrats, confirming that option C is indeed the correct interpretation based on the data presented.