“It's the first time that I can make a difference,” said the Hellgate High School senior who is casting her first ballot in June's primary election. “I don't know if it's that big of a difference, but I feel like I can contribute.”
Though the younger generation is often criticized for its voter apathy, these first-time voters take this job seriously, especially coming of age during such a historic and hotly contested presidential race.
On average in Montana, people between the ages of 18-29 vote less than baby boomers. However, compared to youth in other states, Montana's young voters are more likely to frequent the polls, said Craig Wilson, a Montana State University-Billings professor and longtime political pollster.
Many are taking out college loans and facing years of debt, so they have strong feelings about education and college affordability. The war in Iraq is a concern for many young adults, who have studied the topic at great length in school and who are now eligible to fight overseas.
Hardy, an 18-year-old trombone and piano player, dances with the Ballet Arts Academy. The Hellgate High School senior is headed for Boston University next fall and is interested in pursing a degree in international relations.
Her passion for the arts and acceptance into an expensive private university has this graduate thinking about loan programs and wanting kids to have a well-rounded education that includes more than just the basic math, science and English classes.
“Our generation needs to be involved in those decisions,” said Hardy, who plans to vote alongside her grandparents on June 3, a family tradition on the first outing, she said.
Another 18-year-old, Will Blair, said his priority this election is support of union workers. Neither Blair's mother nor father belongs to a union, but the recent graduate of Loyola Sacred Heart won't vote for a candidate who doesn't support them.
For a summer job several years ago, Blair worked as a pipe insulator for $9 an hour. On a project near Bozeman, his boss told the general contractor that he was paying Blair $20 an hour and then pocketed the rest. Blair wasn't going to complain. After all, he was just a 16-year-old kid.
When one of his co-workers found out, he told a union representative who filed a complaint on Blair's behalf. In the end, Blair got his money.
“It was really encouraging to see them,” said Blair, who will also attend Boston University next fall. “I was glad that someone was looking out for me.”
Voting is painless and seems like the patriotic thing to do, said Alex Shultz, a senior at Hellgate High School. In thinking about whose name he'll check when he votes, Shultz learned some valuable lessons.
First, that the media have huge sway over public opinion. Second, that some of his friends are not as liberal as he thought, which encouraged the 18-year-old who considers himself “a more free-business guy.” And last, that his family has had a significant impact on his attitude toward the economy and social issues.
“They've made it clear who they are voting for,” said Shultz, who is headed to Seattle University next fall. “They don't want to pressure me. They want me to make the best decision for myself. They don't want me to blame them later.”
Jason Reynolds' first-time involvement in election-year politics is far from ordinary.
As a way of saying thank you to hard-working volunteers, campaign organizers for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama set up a time for 10 Montanans to meet the Illinois senator before his stump speech in Bozeman last week.
“I didn't get a chance to ask him anything,” said Reynolds. He only had about 20 seconds with Obama. “I told him that he inspires me and the youth.”
Since becoming an Obama volunteer, Reynolds has found a sense of belonging. He's knocked on doors and handed out fliers.
Obama “makes me feel important,” said Reynolds, who is headed for a small community college in Texas next fall.
For Reynolds, it's not about the “I Voted” sticker or entering the polling booth. He already cast his absentee ballot - his first.
“There's still a booth,” he said. “All you are missing out on is the huge line.”
Reynolds said his friends plan to vote early, too.
He said that voting early and having the ballot mailed to one's home allows people to not make the same mistake Reynolds made.
“I felt bummed I didn't know much about some of the other candidates,” he said, referring to local and statewide races. “I'm spreading the word on not to do that.”
Many local races have been overshadowed by all the hype of the presidential race. But for many of these college-bound seniors, it's hard to focus on local races when they are preparing to leave Missoula or Montana for four or more years to attend college, Blaire said.
Colton Jeszenka doesn't turn 18 until August, but he doesn't mind that he can't vote in the June primary. The devout Christian is more bummed that former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee dropped out of the race and that there are not more pro-life candidates.
That's not to say the Frenchtown High School junior isn't looking forward to casting his ballot in the November's general election.
“I get my full benefits as a citizen,” he said. “I love this country, and our founding fathers saw voting as a huge privilege. I look at it as everyone only has one vote and that vote is important. I just want to be heard and voting is the best way to do that.”
Jeszenka plays sports, is a member of the academic team and comes from a liberal Christian family. He considers himself a moderate or independent, and hopes to cast a vote for Obama in November.
It boils down to who can get the job done, he said. Jeszenka considers Obama the next John F. Kennedy. As for McCain, well, Jeszenka has a hard time relating to the Arizona senator.
“I don't have anything against (McCain), except I can't see him being that active (legislatively),” he said. “He's old.”
Reporter Chelsi Moy can be reached at 523-5260 or at chelsi.moy@missoulian.com.
|
 |
 |
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)