On Nov. 2, 2004, 10.5 million under-25 voters went to the polls, compared to 8.7 million in 2000, raising the turnout rate to 42.3 percent from 36.5 percent. The past presidential election was a dramatic demonstration of the power, influence and ability of America's young people. Still, we can do better.This summer in DC has been especially exciting for me because it has marked the beginning of the first presidential election I can vote in. Tonight a bunch of my friends and I watched a really exciting debate between the Democratic candidates, then we spent a couple hours afterwards discussing the issues and sharing our opinions. And as excited as I am about being knowledgeable about the issues and being involved in the democratic process, I know that there are those young people out there who are simply apathetic. To be honest, their apathy or lack of interest in politics doesn't bother me.
However, what does bother me is when young people complain about issues and express dissatisfaction about the status quo but do absolutely nothing about it. They talk the talk, "We shouldn't be in Iraq" "College tuition is way too high" "I believe in protecting life" yet when election time rolls around and they have a chance to do something about it, they sit idly.
So my challenge to young people today, regardless of political affiliation, is to walk the walk. Don't simply talk about what you don't like about this country, about what could be better, rather be the catalyst to that change. Now I'm not saying that young people should blindly register to vote, rather, I believe that young people have the ability and the responsibility to become educated on the issues and make their voices heard.
If you'd like to become more educated on the issues:
CNN Election Center, Rock the Vote, NYT Political Blog
