They're calling it a first in American political history, and indeed, never before has a primary day held such significance in a presidential nomination. On Feb. 5, known as "Super Tuesday," 22 states, including New Mexico, will vote to decide who will be the presidential nominee in each party.

In New Mexico, however, only Democrats will vote on Super Tuesday. The Republican primary will be held June 3.

After the surge in the number of voters between 18 and 29 in Iowa and New Hampshire, "Super Tuesday" may even prove to be a first in our state's history. The youth in New Mexico could have more influence in deciding the Democratic nominee than ever before. The Democratic Party of New Mexico is reporting its highest number of requests for absentee ballots, many of which are coming from young voters.

"(Youth) are going to be a huge part of the voter turnout this year," said Angela Chavez, interim press secretary for the Democratic Party of New Mexico. "A lot of our absentee ballots are coming from young people because they are available for download at our Web site and we can also e-mail them to people."

Chavez, who belongs to that bracket of young voters, says absentee ballots are a popular alternative for students who are attending college out of state as well as young professionals who may not have time to vote on caucus day.

"I'm 27 years old, so I fall into that category, and I found it incredibly easy to download the form, fill it out and send it back," she said.

Republican and Democratic candidates are increasingly targeting the youth vote through special campaign programs. Obama's youth-oriented campaign drew under-25 voters to the Iowa caucuses in record numbers, and these first-time voters gave him most of his margin of victory.

Many campaigns have gained significant momentum among youth from the ground up, and New Mexico has been no exception. On college campuses throughout the state, there is a grass-roots effort among students to support their candidates.

At New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, Kari Cadena is one of a few youth outreach coordinators for an independent campaign organization called Grassroots Obama New Mexico. For about a month, Cadena has been leading a group of NMSU students in campaigning for the senator. The group is ensuring that registered Democrats show up on caucus day by informing them of polling locations and operating hours. Members are also offering rides to voters who lack transportation to the caucus.

Cadena says she is confident the young voter turnout will be much stronger this election than in the past.

"I believe that the generation that is currently coming of age is waking up to the idea that we can actually make a difference and collectively alter the reality that we live in for the better," Cadena said. "Many of today's youth are simply tired of the broken systems that we have inherited and are no longer content to sit back and do nothing about it."

Because the Democratic Caucus is taking place in February, rather than the state-administered primaries in June, groups are also making a concerted effort to inform registered Democrats about the earlier nomination date. Brian Colón, chairman of the state Democratic Party, said that after the 2004 presidential election, the Democratic National Committee has held the primary earlier in the year in order to have a greater bearing on the national election.

Cadena's group will be calling registered Democrats in the days preceding the caucus to remind them to show up on Feb. 5 in order to ensure that as many Democrats participate as possible. For candidates placing their chips on the youth vote, a strong turnout is crucial to their election.

"We ask every supporter we speak with first if they are a registered Democrat," Cadena said. "If they are, we emphasize the importance of voting on Feb. 5. The senator's (Obama) campaign depends on individuals showing up on voting day."

Conor L. Sanchez is a 2005 graduate of Santa Fe High School and is a student at Occidental College in Los Angeles.