Although ABC recently released a report which claims America’s youth, aged 18-24 is unlikely to vote due to laziness, it may just be that young people often don’t have the time or interest to become involved in the political process.
As college students, we all know what it’s like to feel as though we’re enclosed by a campus bubble that separates us from the outside world. Many of us dedicate only a very small portion of our days, if even that much, to informing ourselves about world affairs. We see brief news clips on CNN, perhaps read the first few pages of a newspaper, and quickly scan a couple articles online.
Some call this apathy, but there may be more to it than sheer indolence.
“I think it is laziness,” said Kristina Riordan, president of the College Democrats, who added that politics is a two-way street. “It’s kind of like a chicken and egg thing. Politicians don’t listen because kids don’t vote, and kids won’t get involved until politicians talk about issues [relevant to youth].”
Anthony Genovese, president of the College Republicans, also stressed that politicians and authority figures must show interest in young voters.
“I think a lot of it is that they’re never asked their opinions,” he said, when questioned as to why students act as though they don’t care.
And of course there is the issue of actually filling out a registration card. For college students who already have packed days filled with classes, sports practices and exams, anything that takes extra time is a chore. While no one can deny that registering to vote eats away ten precious minutes in the day, many feel that it’s worthwhile.
“I think laziness has a lot to do with it,” said Caroline Manning ’06, who will vote in this year’s elections. “The application process is a hindrance.”
However, with the upcoming election Fairfield students are making an effort to inform their peers and persuade them to be a part of the voting process. Last Sunday, the College Democrats had a “Dorm Storm” in which they visited student dorms to encourage voting. Diane Farrell joined the group for the evening.
But the College Democrats haven’t limited their involvement to campus.
“We’re also going out to the community,” said Riordan. “We’re just doing a lot of voter registration.”
The College Republicans also visit student rooms to encourage voter registration, as well as send emails to students.
“We go to them,” said Genovese. “Our main goal is to get students to vote.”
Only time will tell how much of an effect the country’s efforts to get young people to vote will have. It’s a big election year with a lot at stake. In the meantime, we all have to say “No!” to laziness, apathy, and whatever else it is that keeps us from getting involved. Ultimately, it just comes down to being heard, and voting is the way to do it.
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