Change for the Better

This November I'll be able to vote in my first Presidential election, and I'm thrilled to see that the election is drawing more people my age into the political process because this means that politicians will have to pay attention to the needs and concerns of the under 25 crowd.

Through such resources as MTV and MySpace, young people have easier opportunities to get informed.  Almost all the candidates have ideas for specific programs that will help the young people of America.  A recent poll on MTV asked who young people thought worked hardest to get the support of young voters.  The poll showed Barack Obama on top.  This is not too surprising considering he has programs in mind to help young people (affordable health care, increasing the funding for college) and stances on major issues that young people can understand and support. 

Yet, despite this, not even half of my peers caucused in Minnesota last winter plan to vote in the Presidential Election.  Why do so many young people still choose not to vote?  For me, it was never a question of if I wanted to vote.  In my mind voting is an obligation as an intelligent and functioning member of a democratic society. 

I decided to find out from my peers why they were not voting.  Overwhelmingly, there were only two answers:  “I don’t do politics!” or “It’s not like one vote makes that big of a difference anyways…”

These responses can be easily refuted.  A person living in a democracy does politics every single day when you write a copay at the doctor's office or return your library book and no one cares what you were reading.  And if the 2000 election taught us anything, it taught us that every single vote makes a big difference.  

Despite every celebrity who “rocks the vote” and every politician who works to convince young people that their “vote really does count!” it’s not convincing everyone.  Something needs to be done to convince my peers that voting is important, worthwhile, and, yes, I'll say it, exhilarating.  

I think politicians like Barack Obama are a step in the right direction.  Young people can relate to an Oprah-adored, 40 something, racially diverse man much easier than they can relate to a 70 something, white man who is just more of the same nonsense that has been plaguing our country for the past eight years.  It also helps when candidates, like Barack Obama, have specific plans that will directly affect the young.  

I don’t have a better answer as to what can be done to convince every young voter to go out and vote.  However, I do know that the future is going to be scary if large groups of us who are that future refuse to "do politics", don’t think their vote counts, and don’t even bother to get informed on issues.  Ignorance is not okay and being apathetic does not make the problems go away.

All I know, is that for my part, I'll keep harassing my peers and try to persuade them to vote because this is our chance to let our voices be heard and to create change for the better.

Clare Barrowman Casey
September 2008

Comments

[Courtney]

I love to see young people not only interested in politics and voting. The issues everyone, especially young people are facing with this coming election are huge. One party wants to change how young people, especially the women express their own reproductive rights. Take a look at where all of the candidates stand on all of the important issues, and don't be afraid to dig. Many of their stances might surprise and appall you. I know they have for me.

"In my mind voting is an obligation as an intelligent and functioning member of a democratic society." <----- This statement is how I felt when I turned 18 and could register to vote. I don't let anyone get away with expressing an opinion and then not voting if they can. If you've got an opinion, then you can vote. So, keep doing what you're doing and hopefully it'll result in more young people voting!

[Terri]

It's interesting to see the same sort of issues affecting your people the world over. I have always voted, I see it very similarly to the way you do. In addition I think about the struggles women went through to get the vote, and the fact that there are still places where women aren't entitled to. Although at present, here in the UK, I don't greatly rate any of them, I feel the least bad (in my view) deserves my vote and it's my duty to use it.

I remember, however, shortly before the last election we were talking where I work about what time we were going to go and vote, and we asked the youngest member (22) of our team when she was going. her response was that she "doesn't do politics," at which point we were all horrified, despite our best efforts to talk to her about it, it was of no use.

When I went home I had a great discussion with my 7yr old son about it and I realised that he knew more about it than she did.

Only by voting, in whichever country we all live, can we hope for change for the better and improvments in peoples opportunities and rights. Change is good :)

[Kath]

Everyone deserves the right to vote,in every country in the world. The younger generations now more than ever. They are our future. We need more youngsters to get out there and vote.
Keep up the good work and good luck.

Kath

[Nicole]

Clare,

What a wonderful blog entry. I'm at that borderline age (I'll be 26 in a week) where I'm not the younger generation, but I'm not completely adult either. I am proud to be able to vote in such a historic election.

I too hope that more people our age get out there and vote.

[catherine]

Canada is having an election this October.
I asked my 16 year old daughter who she'd vote for if she could vote. She gave me a firm answer. She had already considered the candidates.
This makes me wonder if perhaps the voting age should be lowered to 16 to allow the enthusiasm for politics to be nurtured.
By the time young people reach 18, they've lost interest in their communities and local politics as they start to focus on their new lives as independent adults.

[Ann]

A friend linked me to this post, and I can't say how much I adore it and you for posting it. I'm a 23-year-old female living in the great swing state of Ohio, and I'm horrified that our age group is the one with the lowest turn-out rate each year. I'm not even that politically minded! But I know that the outcome of this election will affect me, our generation and subsequent generations 10, 20, 30 years down the road, in the smallest and largest capacities. I may not understand politics or government as well as some, but I care about what will happen to my future, that of my parents and of my fellow countrymen. At college, I used to hear my classmates saying that they were going to *not* vote as some form of protest. (Protesting what? Protesting <i>how?!</i>)

Craig Ferguson did the most amazing monologue not too long ago on his show, perfectly articulating that "if you don't vote, you're a moron," which you might be interested in watching and sharing with those who won't vote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdRVQ4xwwmQ

[Marie]

This is wonderful. I have voted in the last two elections and find that every vote does matter. Even the smallest lead can be changed with just a few votes. People who don't vote, don't have have the right to complain about who their leaders are. Voting is having a voice and a choice. Thank you for this.

[Michele]

Excellent post, Clare. You should have a myspace site. Do you? Post it, honey!

I'm in the middle of McCain-country (Phoenix), and you wouldn't believe how many people are tooling around the roads with Obama stickers. I went to the headquarters here and they were completely out of stickers and pins!

If you don't vote, you have no right to complain about the idiot in office. Vote!

[Caron]

Go Clare! Excellent Blog. You have obviously inherited your Mother's eloquence :) People fought hard to get a vote, it's our duty and small numbers can make a difference.

[Clare]

Thank you everyone for you wonderful comments, encouragement and support. I am so happy to hear about all the work you are also doing to encourage voting. With less than 40 days until the election, this is the most essential time. Wear your buttons, put up your signs, put out your stickers!! The name of the game is recognition!

Thank you again.

[wafa miss]

so hi how are u i dream to see john i love john so much and torchwood to iam from alger's

[Megan]

Clare..

I live in Australia and really have no real interest in politics aside from having to vote every four years as it is compulsory in this country, but I am supporting Obama in this election, as a McCain/Palin run country is a very scary thought indeed.

My younger brother is at university in Sydney and is completing a Masters degree in politics and is trying to get me interested. I am interested in issues more so than parties and my voting reflects this.

I think it's wonderful that a young lady like yourself is so passionate about the future of her country. There should be more young people like you Clare...if there were, the world would be a much better and brighter place.

Megan

[Steve]

I'm working for the Obama campaign too, in River Falls, Wisconsin, where I live, but I found this blog post because I was trolling Doctor Who website links. How neat that one of the stars' nieces is doing what I'm doing not all that far away. :)

[Katie]

Clare,

Thank you for such an amazing post. This year is my first year to vote, and I'm very excited to be able to finally put forth an effort in changing this country for the better.

When I was younger, I was always asked what my views on politics were, and like many young people this day in age, I replied, "I don't do politics."

These past few years however, I have noticed that America is going downhill. People can no longer afford gas to get to work, they can't afford to buy food for their families, and they can't afford health care (not to mention nearly everything else). Before Bush, everything was fine. My mother could afford to put gas in her car so she could go to work and provide for my sister and me. She didn't have to borrow money from my grandparents, aunt, and uncle nearly every week, like she has to do now.

After going these last 4 years like this, I had decided that as soon as I turned 19 (this year) I would vote for someone who actually cared about the lower and middle class families. I think if our generation got out there and spread the word about what we can do to help, and then there would be a lot more young people willing to vote.

Thanks again,
Katie

[Katie]

I'm thinking about you, all of the other young people getting their first chance to vote for President, and everyone working for Obama this week. Without jinxing anything, we're in the homestretch and we just may get there!

Thanks.

[Nicole]

Less than a week to go. Let's hope all works out for Obama.

BTW, I LOVE the picture of John on the front page, more so I LOVE the t-shirt he's wearing.

[Clare]

I just want to remind everyone that if you have any extra time this weekend, or on Monday or Tuesday, make sure you contact your local Democratic headquarters (either via the Obama website or you can ask me) and volunteer to help. These last few days are absolutely crucial to getting Obama elected. Also, I encourage you to vote your entire Democratic ticket. Obama is a great man, but without a filibuster (60 senators) proof majority, he will not be able to get as much legislation passed as easily as he would like. Think about it! Get out and vote! With your help, change can come!!!!

[Nicole]

Already done :) My parents helped out at their Obama office this past weekend.

Tomorrow will be a good day!

[Nicole]

I just voted and boy did it feel great. Long lines and all.

[Katie]

My friend and I went to vote today and the line to vote was LONG! Many of the people we were in line with for over an hour said they were voting for Obama. Being from Indiana, which has been a red state for as long as I can remember, I was shocked to come across so many Obama supporters! I was thinking that there would be mainly McPain...erm, McCain....supporters there but there wasn't and I was happy :).

I really hope Obama wins! We really don't need another Bush in the office.

[Deborah (NY)]

This was my first presidental election where I could vote! Thankfully the line wasn't long :D GO OBAMA (so far he's in the leaaad)

[Katie]

HE WON!! YES!!!! *happy dance*

Clare, thank you so much for all your hard work you've done for President Obama (that was so cool to write). Thank you for going out there and spreading the word about how important it is to vote.

You're an amazing young woman.

-Katie

[Debs Stuart (Kidderminster, England)]

Just wanted to say Congratulations I guess? I was very pleased to wake up and hear the news this morning! I never pay much attention to our own elections but Obama had me hooked as he could change the world in so many ways!
Well done for everything you did Clare!
xxx

[Nicole]

Well done, I think the Obama campaign should be proud of everything it has accomplished.

Thank you Clare for sharing your views with us.

[Rozzy B]

As a Brit I was rooting for Obama all the way. Am so pleased hes won :D Its just a shae I didnt manage to get my hands on an Obama tshirt like Johns, I really really wanted one!

I hope America is celebrating today.