FACTBOX: Young voters in U.S. politics

(Reuters) - Young voters have historically taken part in U.S. elections at a much lower rate than the public as a whole, but the last two national elections have seen a substantial increase in participation.

Here are some facts about the so-called Millennial Generation, those born between 1977 and 1997:

- Voters in this age group accounted for 21 percent of the electorate in 2006, according to the University of Maryland's Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.

- They will account for 25 percent of the electorate in 2008 and 33 percent of the electorate by 2015.

- A 2006 Pew survey found that 58 percent of young voters identified themselves as Democrats, and 35 percent identified as Republican. A 1991 Pew survey found that 55 percent identified as Republican.

- The Millennial Generation is the most racially diverse in U.S. history. Only 61 percent identify as white, compared with 81 percent for the population as a whole.

- Participation among those under 25 has increased in the last two elections at a rate faster than the population as a whole.