Why the youth vote doesn't really matter... (votes, Republican, president)
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In my town the only time the college students determined the outcome on an issue at the polls was to remove the ban on drinking in the streets. Years later after the drinking age had raised to 21, the ban got restored by popular vote.
I think that the people who won't vote this time will be mostly those republicans who just can not bring themselves to vote for a democrat but still can't make themselves hold their nose tight enough to vote for McCain.
I think that the people who won't vote this time will be mostly those republicans who just can not bring themselves to vote for a democrat but still can't make themselves hold their nose tight enough to vote for McCain.
that's the worst logic ever- kind of like saying, "I didn't get into law school, so I'm going to resort to a life of crime"
that's the worst logic ever- kind of like saying, "I didn't get into law school, so I'm going to resort to a life of crime"
someone call the waaaammbulance
You may think so but I based it upon people I know who have told me that they have always voted republican but can NOT bring themselves to vote for John McCain. When asked if they were voting for Obama they said they would never vote for a democrat. They said they guessed they just wouldn't vote or would write in somebody.
I've actually heard this several times now so I doubt it is an isolated fluke.
Actually, I don't think the youth vote matters all that much. For one thing, they're more into facebook than CNN, most are registered back home away from college, and between classes, dates and parties, civics just falls off the radar.
I'm 27, recent college grad, but I voted in every single election. I made time to get to the booth and vote. But that wasn't true of my classmates. I saw a lot of activism but no action on my campus in '04, and this year will be no different. But with the Obama groundswell, it won't hurt him so much.
Actually, I don't think the youth vote matters all that much. For one thing, they're more into facebook than CNN, most are registered back home away from college, and between classes, dates and parties, civics just falls off the radar.
I'm 27, recent college grad, but I voted in every single election. I made time to get to the booth and vote. But that wasn't true of my classmates. I saw a lot of activism but no action on my campus in '04, and this year will be no different. But with the Obama groundswell, it won't hurt him so much.
I think in states like Michigan, and more particularly Pennsylvania, with the second largest number of colleges (many are a high percentage of in-staters) it might tip things.
Sorry, but most young people on average are much more informed about national and global issues than the average voter is. The political race is constantly interjected in several college courses. Additionally, younger people are much more tech savvy which helps them keep in touch with the issues much better than the average middle aged voter. Hell, just watch an episode of the Daily Show (a show geared solely to the 18-30 demographic) and you'll learn more about the issues than watching Dancing with the Stars.
As the parent of two twentysomethings, I disagree. One of my kids is a self-professed "news junkie", watches and reads news a lot. The other one at age 21 has just started reading the news online. When she was away at college, she didn't even read the school newspaper! It's the nature of the beast. That kid was de-regisitered for not voting, even though, yes, we have mail-in ballots here in Colorado, which I sent to her at college.
That self-same daughter told me Obama intends to win Colorado with the youth vote. I said "Good luck". She has her ballot and will hopefully fill it out, and if she doesn't get around to mailing it she can take it to a drop-off place on election night.
However, those who don't apply by Oct. 28 to get a mail-in will have to go to the polls. This will involve: knowing where to go, which even though it is in the local papers and available online, might be enough to keep some away; getting there when the polls are open (7 AM to 7 PM in this state), which could be difficult for some of the college students who sleep late, and then have late classes/labs; people who work 12 hr shifts, etc); and WAITING TIME.
The Colorado ballot is long this year, something like 16 state ballot issues, varying numbers of local issues, plus local and national elections. It is predicted there will be a lot of waiting at the polls. I reluctantly applied for a mail-in ballot b/c I was concerned that after working perhaps till 6 PM (I work in a dr's office and we have no official quit time), I would have to drive to my polling place and wait in line to vote. It could try a lot of people's patience to wait to vote. Young people tend to be more impatient about these things than older ones.
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