NAHS youth head to the polls for the first time
By Caroline Utz
It’s about time.
After all of the debates, rowdy party conventions, Saturday Night Live sketches, news commentary, and mudslinging political ads, voters finally have a chance to voice their opinions at the polls November 6. Whether voters are hoping to move “forward” with Barack Obama or “believe in America” with Mitt Romney, it is the student voters who may make the difference in this year’s election.
Power of the vote
According to National Public Radio, enthusiastic youth voters in 2008 were critical for Obama’s win over John McCain as 66 percent of voters under the age of 30 voted for the former Illinois senator. As many student voters gear up for their first experience at the polls, overall youth involvement is expected to drop this year as the four year period between elections has left some young voters disillusioned.
“Because Obama the president did not fulfill the hope invested in Obama the candidate, there has been an enormous sense of disappointment among those young [people] who had been previously politically active and the current crop of college-resident young [people] do not have the same compelling motivation to engage as those who preceded them,” Curtis Gans, director of the Center for the Study of American Electorate at American University said. “For these and other deeper systemic reasons, it is virtually certain that there will be a substantial drop-off in the level of youth participation and voting in 2012.”
Even some NAHS faculty and students have predicted a decline in youth voters from 2008 to 2012.
“I think that all of the national statistics indicate that there’s a lot less youth excitement this election,” social studies teacher Mr. Bob Dusch said. “The youth vote helped Obama four years ago, but I’m not sure about this year’s youth vote.”
Social studies teacher Mrs. Ashley Manger agrees. “If I was only comparing 2012 to 2008, I would say the interest level has declined, “Manger said. “In 2008, the entire country was captivated by the potential to elect our first African-American president. Whether one voted for President Obama or not, his presence at the forefront of politics certainly sparked the interest of many people. It is common to see spikes in interest when there is an out of the ordinary candidate. We will see a spike in interest and participation if there is ever a female candidate running in the presidential race.”
Student civics
Senior Drew White has noticed a lack of interest among students.
“I feel like almost none of my peers are interested in politics,” White said. “I think it’s due to ineligibility to vote or the fact that they don’t realize how much politics affect them.”
For those who do not recognize the importance of exercising their right to vote, Manger insists it is the way to “enact change and hold our government accountable.” “Power rests in the hands of the people in a democratic society,” Manger said. “If an elected official isn’t living up to his/her promises, we have the power to find a replacement. I really think young people have to realize that voting, government, and politics isn’t just stuff for old people to think about. If [young people] don’t want to live in the world, the United States, of their parents and grandparents, they must try and make a difference.”
White, who identifies as a “strong, conservative Republican,” plans to vote in the upcoming election. “I look for honesty and uprightness in a candidate,” White said. “Someone who seems as upfront as they can be for a politician. I also look for a candidate who I think will run the country best, and have the longest lasting good impression.”
In the future
Though youth turnout is not expected to break records this year, not all NAHS students are disinterested in the political process.
Though senior William Taylor, who defines himself as “a Democrat, liberal politically and conservative in dress,” will not be old enough to vote in this presidential election, he has still followed political issues.
“Voting is intensely important for young people, no matter which party,” Taylor said. “Most low income, minorities, youth do not vote and if they did, elections could have startlingly different outcomes. As soon as I turn 18, you can be sure I will register to vote.” Though it is easy to forget in a country like the United States, many people across the world do not have the chance to participate in the political process. “Even in 2012, there are so many places in the world where individuals don’t have the ability to vote or their vote is worthless because of political corruption and veiled dictatorships,” Manger said. “We should consider ourselves lucky to be able to speak with the power of our vote.”