YOU have the power to make a CHANGE

My first political memory is with my grandfather and late grandmother, who both volunteered for a political party in town every election.

We’re sitting in a condo down the street from an elementary school where people are voting. Someone has just returned from the school with the party’s books, so we know who has voted, and who we have to call to remind them to vote. Grandpa and Grandma go to check the names off and Grandpa asks me if I would like to make a call.

To whom?

My parents, of course.

So while still in elementary school I made my first political call. I left a message on our home answering machine saying that if you don’t want the other guy to win, you better get down to North Mianus School before 9 p.m. tonight.

This column is like that call. I’m telling you if you don’t want that other guy (or girl) to win, you should strongly consider voting this November.

You have the power to make a change.

Forty-six million people between the ages of 18 and 29 years old are eligible to vote, according to The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University. In contrast, only 39 million seniors – we’re not talking about the Class of 2013 here – are eligible to vote.

That means that you are part of a massive voting block, which means that candidates have to listen to you. They want your vote.

At this point you may be thinking this: I’m only a college student. I don’t have a house. I don’t have a car. I don’t have a real job. I probably don’t have kids.

Why should I vote?

Do you have a student loan, or receive federal federal aid?

Chances are you do. Seventy percent of Fairfield students receive some type of financial aid, according to the University’s admission website.

Financial aid is a major issue this election season, and candidates have differing opinions.

President Obama says that not everybody has parents who can pay their tuition or loan them money. He promotes on his website a program that caps monthly federal student loan repayment at 10% of monthly discretionary income.

Romney, on the other hand, said students should not expect the government to forgive their student loan debt. But he promises to create new jobs and lower income taxes so that students can pay back the loans they take out.

Both candidates make valid points. Where do you stand?

Let the candidates know. Vote this November.

If you are interested in voting, here are the details:

In Connecticut, your application for voting must be postmarked or received by a voter registration agency by the 14th day before an election.

Alternatively, you can register in person by the 7th day before an election.

College students can vote in their college town if they consider it to be their primary home, according to the Fair Elections Legal Network. So if you live in Fairfield and you consider yourself a “bona-fide” resident, you are eligible to vote in Connecticut.

Anyone who wishes to to register to vote needs an ID and some official document that says you live in Connecticut.
Obviously if you register in Connecticut, you can’t vote back home as well. But you can vote back home through an absentee ballot. Contact your local registrar for details.

Should you decide to vote for this November, remember the issues. Most politicians will start playing dirty as the election nears, launching attack ads and leaking negative stories to the press.

When you hear these news reports or see these commercials, remember you are not voting on who has the best lifestyle, or the best hair. You are voting for who best represents you, your friends and the country as a whole.