After the controversy surrounding the 2000 presidential election, college-aged students are giving the 2004 election more attention than ever, knowing that "every vote counts" in November.

According to polls from the Harvard University Institute of Politics, the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press and MTV, youth interest in the 2004 election has reached its highest point since 18- to 20-year-olds were given the right to vote in 1972.

Philosophy and political science professor John Christman said student involvement this election year has been high.

"I have been a close observer of politics and elections in this country since the 1970s," Christman said. "I have not seen this level of interest, passion and energy in young people since the Vietnam era -- not only in voter registration, but in demonstrations, political events and volunteer work," he said.

According to the institute's survey, 62 percent of college students said they are "definitely" planning to vote this November, up from 50 percent in 2000.

College Democrats President Megan Green said this year's strong public attention to the election cannot be attributed to just one event.

"Issues like the war in Iraq and the state of our economy are really personal to people between the ages of 18 to 20," Green said. "Students are realizing that their voice is really important in this election and that they do have the power to decide the future course of this country."

Penn State Republicans President Nomi Deutch said student interest is heightened because young voters want a strong, decisive leader to take on the war and fight terrorism.

"America was attacked by an enemy on Sept. 11 and is currently fighting a global war on terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Spain and other countries throughout the world," Deutch said.

The institute's guide to reaching young voters said both the political climate of global terrorist attacks and a difficult job market emphasize the importance of every vote.

Political science professor Suzanna De Boef said the close results of the last presidential election also create a heightened sense that each vote matters.

"The previous election was decided by a small handful of votes," De Boef said. "The stakes are higher and there's a very real sense that whether I vote matters, especially for young people who weren't very likely to vote before."

Political science professor James Eisenstein said he thinks the 2004 election may be the most important one in students' lifetimes.

"I think many students understand that the direction the country will take in almost every major area of important policy will depend on who wins, that their future lives will be significantly affected by the outcome," Eisenstein said.

According to the Harvard institute, the Sept. 11 attack, the job market and the closeness of the 2000 election are just a handful of factors that increased young voters' attention in this year's presidential election.

Susan Welch, dean of the College of the Liberal Arts, said the election is extremely close and partisan feelings are running high.

"Both candidates are actively engaged in trying to increase voter registration among groups they believe will vote for them," Welch said.

With voter registration closed, the election now depends on everyone coming out to vote, De Boef said.

"In the longer term, the question is 'Will these new voters continue to vote in future elections?'" she said. "If so, we are all better off for it."