Young people need to make time to vote
The number of young adults who vote in this country is troubling. The percentages of people who vote have changed every election except among young adults; the percentage of 18- to 24-year-old voters always has been low.
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that in the 2004 election, only 46.7 percent of people in this age group voted.
I cannot predict the future, but I know that whichever way the election goes, it will have a profound effect on my life and my future. I plan to go out and vote as a result. If it is going to affect me, I want a say in it. My hope is that more young adults will feel the same and vote.
So, don't sit at home and say how much you hate who was elected. Get up, go out and vote.
You hear it all the time that one vote makes a difference, but if more of us actually vote, it's not just one more, and that makes all the difference.
Jennifer Proctor
Greensboro
Comments (6)
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I would change your plea just a little, Jennifer:
"So, don't sit at home and say how much you hate who was elected. Get up, [learn about the candidates and their voting records, learn where they've stood throughout their careers and not just what they promise now, and then] go out and vote."
If you're not willing to do the middle bit, please do stay home. "Lost" will probably be back on soon.
Roger
Posted on February 5, 2008 7:02 AM
Amen Roger. I often cringe when I see voters, not just young, asked on TV who they are voting for and why. They commonly will say "Hillary, because she is a woman" or "Obama because he brings hope" or "Huckabee because he's a Christian".
Posted on February 5, 2008 8:39 AM
I heard several of the "hip-hop" generation give the reasons they were voting the way they were on NPR. The number one reason was to "support the first black man to get this far in a presidential election". Nothing was mentioned about qualifications, voting record or even what Obama says in his campaign.
I agree with the two of you. If this younger generation is not going to inform themselves and vote on issues that affect them, they are adding nothing to the democratic process by showing up at the polls.
Posted on February 5, 2008 9:39 AM
Good points from all. We need to look at qualifications, policy, and records and not look at personalities, looks, financial status, race, or gender. However, that won't happen...
Posted on February 5, 2008 11:06 AM
Well, what percentage of voters (of whatever age) are reasonably informed? There are plenty of ignorant old people as well.
I'd like to see a multiple-choice test given before any election, with a minimum score required in order for the vote to count. That way, our voting rabble could be eliminated.
Posted on February 5, 2008 2:59 PM
These threads die early .. but I gotta disagree.
The uninformed youth that votes will put as much thought into the selection of candidates as many "informed grownups" do ... because my observation is most vote on inertia. Either "Daddy talked nasty about Bush so I'm gonna vote Democrat", or, "Daddy talked nasty about Clinton so I'm gonna vote Republican".
Consider if FDR were to return, touting his record as President from 1932 - 1945, but this time as a Republican. Do you really believe Neocon would vote for the Democrat opponent?
Posted on February 6, 2008 5:02 AM