Predictions for the 2010 Election Day include a shift of power in the House and Senate from Democrat to Republican and an increase in youth voting for both parties.
Youth voting, which consists of people ages 18 to 29, has significantly increased recently when more than 50 percent of youth voters turned out for the presidential election in 2008. This was the second highest turnout for youth voters under the age of 30 since 1972 according to the Pew Research Center’s 2008 article, “Young Voters in the 2008 Election,” by Scott Keeter.
Despite being an off-year election — which is a general election held during a year a presidential election does not take place — many people are hoping the numbers for youth voters continue to be high during this general election.
“This year is very important for students,” Linda Gugin, political science emeritus, said. “For people in college, there are a lot of issues like healthcare and Pell grants that will be affected by this election.”
Gugin said a misconception of many college-age students is general elections are not as imperative as the presidential elections.
“It is a very common mistake,” Gugin said. “However, the big issues are that whoever controls the state Legislature controls a lot of things, so it is very important to vote.”
As of now, the House and Senate both have Democrats as the majority leader. However, a recent Gallup Poll showed there might be shift in power after this election. The latest polls show most youth voters who actively participated voted democrat with a 2-1 ratio.
Based on the New York Times 2010 article, “The Elusive Youth Vote” by Amanda Cox, many Democrats are hoping the youth come out to vote again in order to keep Democrats as the majority leaders.
Joan Martin, adjunct lecturer of biology, said whoever is elected for the House and Senate should be important to everyone.
“The House and Senate are our voices in the government,” Martin said. “It is extremely important we choose people who we think will represent us properly.
“I know it is cliché, but every vote really is significant,” Martin said. “Younger people may not vote because they feel like they are not important, but all voices need to be heard.”
Martin said youth voting could help solve problems regarding how the people are represented.
“I think there is a disconnection between those people and their representation, which can be fixed by them turning out to vote,” Martin said.
Martin said youth voters may feel like changes are not being made to the government when they do vote.
“They just need to realize that the wheels of government are slow, so it is not seen right away, but that does not mean it will not change eventually,” Martin said.
Chris Coyle, political science junior, said he will be voting this year.
“I am a solid voter, and I have voted in every presidential and general election since I could,” Coyle said. Coyle said he hopes the turnout for youth voters will be significant this year.
“There are a lot of good reasons to go even though it is an off-year election,” Coyle said.
Coyle said he thinks traditional college students do not think there are issues which pertain to them in the election.
“That is untrue,” Coyle said. “Pell grants and taxes are two subjects that directly affect college students.”
Coyle said he thinks another reason for the sporadic turnouts is centered on where the main concerns of youth voters are.
“For some students, they have a lot on their plate and busy lives,” Coyle said. “They do not see voting as a priority.”
Coyle said he hopes this will not be the case for the upcoming election.
“Votes do matter, and students need to figure out how to get their vote in,” Coyle said.
Andrew Winston, general education senior, said he has been voting since he was 18.
“It’s a right, and I feel like I make a difference,” Winston said. “It’s a way to get my voice out there.”
Winston said people should not think their votes do not matter.
“Every aspect, from top to bottom, might affect us,” Winston said. “If we vote now, it will make a difference in some way.”
Kari Allen, elementary education senior, said she has been voting since the 2008 presidential election.
“That was the first one I got to vote in, and it was very cool,” Allen said.
Allen said she thinks voting should be taken more seriously by the youth voters.
“I think that everyone should vote,” Allen said. “It is a right, and I feel a duty of mine to have my opinion heard.”
Allen said she knows many students may feel their vote is insignificant in the final results.
“For people to say their vote does not matter is ridiculous to me,” Allen said. “It may be just one vote, but it matters to me.”
By MORIAH
WHITTKAKER
Staff
whittakm@umail.iu.edu
