An essay on voting

An essay on voting that I wrote for my class.

The tired feet, the long wait, the indistinct sounds of people discussing the latest news. They wait in line to cast their ballot. Voting is the one thing people do that makes a difference. The waiting, the exhaustion, and the lines are all worth it because they know what it means. All those things are part of something great - voting. Yet, there are many people in this world that cannot vote. They either do not have the legal status to do so, or their government denies them the most basic rights. Their voices muffled by the sound of all the injustices of our world. So, not taking advantages of these basic rights seems silly right? Agreed. However, millions of Americans do just that, they waste their vote away. According to Lindsye Forson, a writer for The Battalion, the problem could be ignorance. Forson quotes Ilya Somin, a George Mason University law professor, “‘Most individual voters are abysmally ignorant of even basic political information’”. Corroborating the previous statement, it then proves that not only are millions of Americans wasting their vote, but, ignorance is a factor as to why they do not. It is vital that the young generations get out to vote, especially now when education is taking a big economic hit. Beckie Supiano, writing for The Chronicle of Higher Education, elaborates on young voter behavior in the article, “The Student Vote: Turnout by the Young Continued to Surpass Previous Levels on Super Tuesday.” It is also imperative that older generations place more attention on the habits of young voters. Soon they will be the majority of the population who make the decisions for everyone. Though, a light at the end of the tunnel can be seen. Racism and sexism are becoming less of an issue. It seems the general public are becoming more accepting of everyone. Rosa Brooks talks about this issue in the article, “Young Voters’ New Thinking.” With all these endless problems at hand the solution feels as though it may never come. Still, America has always been a place of great thinkers and leaders. The undying spirit of this great nation has not yet been beat. The future, lies in the hands of our young constituents who need to be educated on polices, unless we want a government made up of inexperienced politicians.

Clearly, young people think differently than the older generation. That is obvious. They have different goals, priorities, necessities, not to mention – drama. When most of the older generation have a second mortgage to worry about, the young voters have school and more importantly, to them, romantic problems. Forson astutely points out that political apathy is the main problem of lower voter turnout (1). The problem can be seen across the political spectrum among young voters’ prone to avoid any type of topic that involves too much brain function. A solution to the dilemma, over voter turnout, can be curbed by targeting young people where they come together most; the Internet. During this past election, the candidates barraged the web with advertising campaigns that young people were sure to not miss. Especially on social networking sites, like Myspace and Facebook. The candidates attempted to create a following with the younger crowd. Still, older generations need to be worried. An uneducated vote can be more detrimental than not casting a vote at all. It is young people who are voting more nowadays, whether they are educated or not is unclear. If older voters care about the issues that directly affect them, such as Social Security and Health Care, they need to pay more attention about who is making the decisions. It is the young voters year olds that are paving the new roads to Washington. Voter apathy is more of a problem that it seems. Politicians who do not realize this do not deserve to serve the public. Casting a vote carries a multitude of social implications and responsibilities. An uneducated voter, compounded with politics can have unpredictable outcomes. Thankfully among younger voters, some issues are becoming less of a hindrance when deciding who or what to vote for.

Racism and sexism lie at the heart of politics; nevertheless, with young voters it no longer poses a problem. Brooks believes that the question over the voting habits of America do not make sense anymore (1). It is possible that voters do not care about race as a factor over what President to vote for. Which can be true, to an extent. Even though the United States just elected a black President in the United States, to conclude that race was not a factor in his election is absurd. All types of people, especially older generations, have race on the mind. It is an issue that pervades our culture daily. It effects out most miniscule decisions, like what store to buy groceries from, or what side of the street to walk on. It is an inherent feeling that we all have as human beings. Mostly, due to the fact that social and cultural stereotypes seep into our subconscious, ruling our behavior. It can also be applied to other races and cultures, as well. Sometimes, an antipathy can be felt among other cultures for the American society. It is a sad fact of our nations history. To say that racism and sexism have been eradicated is misleading. It is true, the problem no longer carries the same weight it once did due to the hard work of activists for peace. Yet, it still is an issue amongst young people. Slowly, we are making leaps into erasing these types of issues. With our election of an African-American President we can begin to transform in to a country that accepts all cultures and races unconditionally. Hopefully soon, the confusion over what to refer our leaders by will no longer be an issue. Our African-American President will just be, our President. Likewise, our female Secretary of State will be just that, a Secretary of State, regardless of what race or sex they are.

Frequently, voters have proven themselves to be quite capricious. Young voters especially, are swayed easily. Supiano writes, “‘We think we’re a melting pot, but this year it’s become obvious that we tend to vote for people like ourselves. – Young people are voting for the youngest person in the race,” Mr. Warren stated”’ (2). For example, advertisements can play a big role in the political process, and candidates know this. With in seconds of viewing an advertisement they have already decided if they like it or not. Therefore, if politicians want to attract the younger votes, they need to relate to them. Our behavior is determined by how we are brought up and exposed to from an early age. Sex appeal is a major factor as well. The Obama campaign connected to the younger electorates favorite products by using them out in public. The Blackberry was advertised widely because of President Obama’s use of it. This made him appear cooler, for lack of a more appropriate word, to the younger crowd. It made him more relatable, thus giving him more votes. Whether it was intentional or unintentional is not important, it is the fact that they knew that young voters were the key to the election. The tactics employed were significant because if they had ignored the young public, they would have alienated a big percentage of the population that holds the power. A population that soon will be making the decisions for the rest of America. Now, the task is to harness this power for the improvement of America. These are the complex issues that educated voters should consider when casting their ballot. The future, so far, looks bleak. If there is to be change, it needs to come from our young generation.

Whether it is by utilizing resources that will relate to the voters, or appealing to their necessities; politicians would benefit from paying more attention to our young generation. Perhaps then, it is not too surprising why many Americans, as a whole, lack any initiative to vote. Most are deprived or do no care about the issues affecting our society. Not until the issues directly affect voters is when you can hear the cry of the people. It has to become worse before it can get better. Soon, the cries are heard in the offices of public assistance, and swishing sound of shuffling feet at the Unemployment Department. At the turn of the century people all of a sudden became voiceless. During the Vietnam Wars millions came out to march and protest. Well, now the same has to be done. Our voice is our most fundamental tool that we have to make change. Forson quotes, “‘Thomas Jefferson once said, the price of freedom is eternal vigilance’” (Qtd. on 1). This rings true especially for all voters. If the right to vote is squandered away we will have no voice in politics. Voter habits are changing and they can be seen in the faces of enthusiastic first time voters. The pride they feel echoes the first time African-Americans, women, and other oppressed individuals were given the right to vote. Then, it can be concluded that voting is inextricably linked with our basic rights. No one should take it for granted.