By Mary Best
Managing Editor
Vote.
It’s really not that hard, people.
Despite her deep speaking voice and tendency to play questionably scandalous characters in romantic comedies, Scarlett Johansson won my applause in her appeal to young voters at the Democratic National Convention on Sept. 20.
“In 2008, less than half of all eligible voters between the ages of 18 and 24 voted,” she said in her speech. “Young America, why are we only speaking with half our voice when so many issues at stake here directly affect us?”
What an alarming statistic. Confirmed by the U.S. Census Bureau in July 2009, the voter turnout report noted our generation had the fewest number of voters.
Wake up, future of America. Do you really not care that much?
Look at it this way: there are still plenty of arguments out there about the cause of our nation’s countless issues. Some point to former president George W. Bush like CNN correspondent Jack Cafferty’s did in a June 14 blog post appropriately titled, “How long will we blame George W. Bush for our problems.” Bush was first elected in 2000, 12 years ago.
You may not think voting is applicable to your life right now. The issues with the economy won’t really affect you until you’re in your 30s and raising a family 12 years from now. Do you get it yet?
Who we vote for now will determine the future of our country beyond a four-year period, no matter what the Constitution says. Sure, it’s a scary thought. But we need to care. Not in December when the Mayans are wrong and not four years from today when it’s time for another election. Right now.
Granted, plenty of students on campus won’t be able to make it back to their county on election day, but that’s no excuse to skip out of the most important election of our college careers.
Thankfully, four dedicated campus organizations are making it even easier for students to vote this year. College Democrats, College Republicans, Black Student Union (BSU), Model U.N. and Residence Life will hold voter registration drives next week in the Hickey Dining Hall and the Reilly Center, according to Ryan DeOrdio, co-president of College Democrats at the Sept. 25 Student Government Association meeting.
The drives will not only allow students to register for the upcoming election, but students will also be able to request absentee ballots upon registration to ensure their voice is heard on election day.
Sure, you don’t necessarily get to push all the buttons and pull the levers, but your vote will be counted, which is all that matters.
I am not one to get involved in political discussions, and I will admit to not knowing where each candidate stands on all the major issues, but that’s also no reason for me to waive my Constitutional rights.
Need help on figuring out who exactly to vote for? Check out isidewith.com. It’s not just another silly oh-vote-for-this-candidate-because-you-registered-as-this-political-party quiz. It takes a few minutes, but after the you choose your exact stance on most issues involved with the election from foreign policy to health care to the environment and rank each issue’s importance, the site matches you with the candidate you agree the most with.
As for my campaign to persuade you to vote, I refer back to Johansson’s wise words.
“I’m not going to tell you who to vote for,” she said. “I’m here to ask you to commit to vote.”
Please, just don’t let Will Ferrell’s semi-disturbing performance in “The Campaign” be your only tie to the election season.
