The number of US university students who hold traditional liberal views increased sharply over the past year, pushed by excitement over the 2004 election and dissatisfaction with George W. Bush's foreign policy, according to a Harvard University poll released yesterday.

Voters aged 18-29 made up 17 per cent of the electorate in the 2004 presidential election. That exceeds the number of voters aged 65 and older, drawing increased attention to the political attitudes of young people.