The election this year has produced some very strong candidates with avid supporters. The followers of this election have included many more young voters than in previous elections. This could be because of younger candidates such as Sen. Barack Obama, but according to students and teachers alike, the focus of this election is more about the issues.
One Sentinel High School government teacher, Keith Hanson, offered this explanation for why he believes the younger generation is voting this year.
Students have become well aware of the effects that decisions in the White House have on them. Many believe that our presence in other countries is superfluous compared to our own issues.
“We need to worry about problems in our own country first,” senior Kira Gordon said.
Senior Amanda Marzolf, along with many of the younger voters, leans more toward the Democratic platform ideas.
“Teenagers have seen the things that Bush has done and don’t agree,” she said. “They think changes can occur and are following the Democrats more closely.”
Although students are following the election closer this year and paying attention to the topics of today, not all of them will vote. Some are not old enough, but others won’t vote because their candidate is no longer in the race. Hanson has discussed this recurring problem with many of his classes.
“It’s the wrong approach to not vote because your candidate is out,” he said.
He explains that, even if your favorite is gone, it’s best to go with the best one of the two left. Marzolf feels the same.
“There’s never going to be a
100 percent choice,” she said.
Marzolf also gives her advice to those who aren’t sure for whom to vote.
“You should educate yourself and ask questions if you don’t know enough about politics because you can make a difference,” she advised.
Gordon will not be swayed in her opportunity to vote. She plans to go to the polls no matter what.
“Because I can,” she said. “It’s my right as an American and I’m going to take advantage of it. I’m sick of the way things are and I want change.”
Though the younger population hasn’t been a deciding factor for past elections, their vote this year could be important.
“Since 18-year-olds have gotten the right to vote, there hasn’t been any election where the young vote helped,” Hanson admits. “But I hope this one will.”
Lindsey Galipeau is a senior at Sentinel High School and features editor for the student newspaper, the Konah.
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