Oct. 26, 2006

Voting offers involvement, voice

BY ERIN SIEBEL
Siebele@marietta.edu

Voting is, without a doubt, the basis of any democratic society. It’s the only method of achieving any sort of consistency in a government; it’s the only way for most people to have a voice. And yet young people choose not to have that voice. They choose to be quiet. They choose to sit idly by, refuse to even register, and are content in that. Some even enjoy that little bit of rebellion they feel by not being a registered voter. It’s their little “screw you” to society that makes them feel special. But really, what are you rebelling against? And aren’t you only harming yourself?

You hear all the time that those who choose not to vote should just shut their mouths when it comes to any decision made by our government leaders. If you don’t vote, you don’t have a right to an opinion and you don’t have the right to complain. But honestly, most young people who don’t vote don’t complain, either. They enjoy their obliviousness.

Opinion

I have a friend who refuses to register. Flat out refuses. She isn’t interested in anything that voting has to offer her. But she couldn’t give me any concrete reason why. I give out the standard response anyone gives when trying to persuade someone to vote: your vote is your voice, it definitely matters (look at the 2000 election!), and it’s your duty as a citizen of the United States. But this just didn’t matter to her. Voting was just a pointless act that didn’t show up on her radar.

But look at our recent homecoming elections. This year 497 students voted. That’s roughly 40% of the student body. Compare that to the fact that only 21% of Ohio residents ages 18-29 voted in 2002. On average, more students vote for their homecoming king than their senator or governor. And what does that say? It seems as if young people are more interested in the non-existent responsibilities of their college homecoming king than the important decisions our government leaders make.

Ask those 497 students at MC who they’re voting for in the upcoming midterm election, and I feel it’s safe to assume most wouldn’t even know that elections are being held on November 7th. And for those who are aware of this, it’s probably safe to assume that they can’t name very many candidates or that they’re not planning on voting.

Young people don’t vote because they often feel they don’t care about anything that the government has control over. But wait! Do you care about your college tuition? Those student loans? No? Okay. Fair enough. How about those “hot button” issues like gay marriage, abortion, or stem cell research? What about the war in Iraq? Do you have an opinion on that?

You have to have something to say. And voting in elections is the most powerful place to say it! You can complain all you want that our country isn’t going in the right direction, or you can even love the choices our current leaders make--either way, in order to make a change or even maintain the status quo, you need to cast your vote as to who you want making those decisions.

Democrat, Republican, Socialist, Libertarian - whatever you label yourself as - it doesn’t matter. All that truly matters is that you wear that label proudly and do something about it.

Vote on November 7th (if you’re registered, of course). If you’re not registered or you choose not to vote, then be content in being silent and letting others speak for you.