SF State’s young resident students were out in force to cast their votes for Barack Obama on Tuesday, according to an exit poll conducted by the Golden Gate [X]press.

Of the 554 respondents, more than 90 percent said they voted for Barack Obama. Almost 6 percent said they voted for John McCain and less than 1 percent for Ralph Nader.

The survey, conducted outside Mary Ward residence hall’s polling place, represented a precinct largely comprised of students who live in Mary Ward, Mary Park and The Towers.

It was the first time casting a ballot in a national presidential election for almost 87 percent of the voters polled. Ninety-five percent were between the ages of 18 and 22.

Obama’s message of hope for the future resonated with young voters throughout the campaign and more than a third of those surveyed said the promise of change had the strongest influence on their decision.

California’s Proposition 8 to ban gay marriage was noted as the most important initiative by almost 60 percent of those responding. Prop 4, an initiative that many at SF State feel is an attack on women’s reproductive rights, was also a major concern.

In a shift from previous exit poll data collected by [X]press for the same precinct, 16 percent said the economy was the biggest factor in their selection for president - compared to 6 percent during February’s state primary.

Nine months ago, the war in Iraq was the most important issue for almost 20 percent of those polled. In the current poll, less than 10 percent said the war and foreign policy was the most significant factor in casting their vote for president.