2008 Woodie Awards
Young voters overturn misconception of political apathy
Guest Editorial
Adam Guthrie Green
Issue date: 9/28/06 Section: Editorial
- Page 1 of 1
Guest Editorial by
Adam Guthrie Green
UTC Senior
I don't know how many times I've heard the speech about how young people failed to vote in the last presidential election. Every time this misinformation gets repeated, the public perception of an apathetic young electorate grows.
Let's set the record straight-that is completely inaccurate.
In 2004, 51 percent of young voters between the ages of 18 and 30 turned out to vote (compared to 42 percent in 2000), the highest turnout of this age group since 1972.
Are you feeling better now? Wait, here's something even more encouraging. Young voters represented 64 percent of the 13 million people who voted for the first time in 2004.
Does this sound like the apathetic young voters we hear so much about?
Unfortunately, the same can't be said of young voters' participation in local and state elections.
Young people tend to ignore the things that affect their lives the most. Sure, a lot of things happen on the national level that filters down to us. But it's the issues that affect us daily, like the adequate funding of public education and creative economic development so that finding a quality job after graduation doesn't mean moving away, that we currently have the least involvement in.
I think it's time we all realize what is at stake.
Believe it or not, in a mere 10 years our generation will represent about 25 percent of the U.S. population. Unless we start participating soon, a minority of involved voters will dictate their will to the majority of non-voters.
It's not too late to make a difference.
This year our governor is up for re-election, and our U.S. Senate race is the center of national attention; these races will have a significant impact on our lives in the very near future.
If you aren't registered to vote, you still have a few days to do so-the deadline is Oct. 6.
I challenge all of you to join me in voting this year, and in turn building a better tomorrow, today. It's all up to you; no one else is going to do it for us.
Our parents' generation often complained that their one little vote didn't matter. The last two presidential elections have proved that line to be tired and weak. With our brothers and sisters sacrificing in a time of war, voting is the least we can do to show our respect for democracy.
Registering to vote is easy. Just contact the Hamilton County Election Commission with any questions you may have. Their phone number is 493-5100; you can also visit their Web site at http://elect.hamiltontn.gov.
Adam Guthrie Green
UTC Senior
I don't know how many times I've heard the speech about how young people failed to vote in the last presidential election. Every time this misinformation gets repeated, the public perception of an apathetic young electorate grows.
Let's set the record straight-that is completely inaccurate.
In 2004, 51 percent of young voters between the ages of 18 and 30 turned out to vote (compared to 42 percent in 2000), the highest turnout of this age group since 1972.
Are you feeling better now? Wait, here's something even more encouraging. Young voters represented 64 percent of the 13 million people who voted for the first time in 2004.
Does this sound like the apathetic young voters we hear so much about?
Unfortunately, the same can't be said of young voters' participation in local and state elections.
Young people tend to ignore the things that affect their lives the most. Sure, a lot of things happen on the national level that filters down to us. But it's the issues that affect us daily, like the adequate funding of public education and creative economic development so that finding a quality job after graduation doesn't mean moving away, that we currently have the least involvement in.
I think it's time we all realize what is at stake.
Believe it or not, in a mere 10 years our generation will represent about 25 percent of the U.S. population. Unless we start participating soon, a minority of involved voters will dictate their will to the majority of non-voters.
It's not too late to make a difference.
This year our governor is up for re-election, and our U.S. Senate race is the center of national attention; these races will have a significant impact on our lives in the very near future.
If you aren't registered to vote, you still have a few days to do so-the deadline is Oct. 6.
I challenge all of you to join me in voting this year, and in turn building a better tomorrow, today. It's all up to you; no one else is going to do it for us.
Our parents' generation often complained that their one little vote didn't matter. The last two presidential elections have proved that line to be tired and weak. With our brothers and sisters sacrificing in a time of war, voting is the least we can do to show our respect for democracy.
Registering to vote is easy. Just contact the Hamilton County Election Commission with any questions you may have. Their phone number is 493-5100; you can also visit their Web site at http://elect.hamiltontn.gov.
