You are one of the many that will find their way to D.C. either by foot, plane, or car.
The District of Columbia is one gigantic car.
Ronald Reagan
You are one of the many that find that car filled with energy and excitement flowing out the windows.
You understand the necessity of civic engagement, that the nation needs our generation to fill the huge footprints and forge our own path through voting.
Yet, you are one of the proportionately few college students that vote locally, that attend the polls in midterm elections, that proudly wears “I Vote” sticker.
Voting on college campuses has declined annually. The National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement stated in their 2016 report that voting among college aged students increased slightly, by a measly 3%, since 2012. A good start, I agree. However, the voting rates by college age students remains under 50% for national election. Don’t get me started on midterm elections.
It remains absurd that we, citizens of the United States, receive the right to vote at 18 years old. We become full adults in the eyes of society. We are granted civic responsibilities, masses of individuals fought for our right to vote throughout generations. Yet are not given the resources, the reasons why, the history, nor truly encouraged to accept our ancestor’s fighting goal.
So let’s take the time to do just that. For a minute. A quick history lesson to remember the past.
Voting booths revitalized the polls. Before the community forced their opinions to their leaders, voting was not secret. Imagine voting without a privacy screen. The possibility of intimidation, buyout, forced voting. It was problem upon problem. Fraud upon fraud. Imagine if our vote was publicly stated today. Imagine a world without voting privacy… Luckily, our past generations spoke up and out to demand the right to vote privately.
Women spoke loud and clear to obtain equality. Many opposed women’s right to vote, but they were strong. Women are powerful. Women’s voices command respect and the right to be heard. Their momentum has yet to stop.
Modern women are political, ambitious, opinionated. Modern women lead conversations, start businesses, and inspire others in their community.
Still, the United States was not yet equal. The plight of African Americans to obtain the right to vote should not have been necessary. The right to for all should have been granted upon the created of the Bill of Rights. Nonetheless, only with the outspoken resilience, courage, and bravery of African Americans was the Freedom to Vote extended to all Americans. With voice and action a better, more equal United States stepped forward.
That’s merely a few major points of the history of Untied States Voting. Millions of individuals fought for our right to vote, yet over 50% of registered college students do not vote. So, how do we as registered college aged voters inspire our peers to become informed voters. Why is it even necessary at that we do so.
Voting is important because it gives a voice to the people. Regardless of political affiliation, voting is crucial for democracy.
Kathryn Papas, Santa Clara University
Not convinced? Well…
Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.
Abraham Lincoln
I think the point explains itself. It’s our duty to vote. People died for our right. Yet our peers have the audacity to give back their fight? Their sacrifice? However, I HAVE A QUESTION why wouldn’t you vote? Why would someone not vote in midterm elections? Is it the perceived time commitment? Scared of voting uninformed? I want to start a conversation about voting.
As a college student myself, I dedicate myself to promoting our voting exercise. So, to spark the conversation about voting, The College Voter acts as the coordinator between speakers and college campuses to facilitate public dialogue. Yet, this speaking event is merely one function that TCV provides. To the sponsoring club organization, the opportunity to create a chapter branch of The College Voter would provide additional speaking engagements, a variety of political information resources, opportunity to freely write articles for The College News, and information about how to continue the political conversation and engagement throughout the year. By providing the resources available to peers so that we could encourage each other, community strengthens and civic inactivity decreases. Possible swing voters that determine upcoming elections become informed to make the right choice. Ultimately, The College Voter provides a menu for speakers to flame productive political discourse for college students to maintain for a lifetime.
TCV reaches college aged students. At university, students learn from one another and build off of each other’s ideas. However, none of us are a stranger to University restrictions of Freedom of Speech. So, we have created our own space to discuss, enlighten, and learn from one another. If the University will not promote civically responsible events, we will create them ourselves.
Additionally, TCV empowers students to enact substantial change locally and nationally. We have the internet at our fingertips. We have The College News to write about our experiences with speakers. We have resources for organizing carpools to voting machines and voting dates and information.
With each other, we can encourage one another to choose the right politicians. Whether you vote now or not, your actions speak volumes.