We’re young and apathetic. Our generation’s motto might as well be “whatever.” The government doesn’t care about our concerns. We’re misunderstood. We don’t vote.
It’s no secret who votes in this country. The more educated, higher income, middle-aged, and older Americans drag themselves to the polls on the first Tuesday in November. Here we are, young and full of ideas, in this city to become educated–or something close to that.
Politicians do not listen to young people because we do not vote. Why should they if they aren’t getting anything in return? They will continue to ignore issues that concern America’s youth until we show up at the polls.
A 2000 survey by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) reported that 18 to 25 year olds are the largest group of young people in United States history. We’ve surpassed the record previous held by the baby boomers. In 1998, fewer than one in five young people voted. The number one reason why Americans of all ages don’t vote is because they aren’t registered. Thirty-eight percent of young people say they “didn’t have time” to register according to the NASS study.
We weren’t always this way. Remember how exciting it was to have mock elections in elementary school? It didn’t seem fair that we had to wait until 18 to vote. We seemed to leave that idea behind with our old teddy bears back home. But, isn’t Boston home now?
The reality is that Massachusetts is our home for most, if not all, of the year. We’re actually affected by the decisions made by the new governor. And before we argue that we aren’t Massachusetts residents, we need to get the facts straight. According to the state elections bureau, any U.S. citizen with a Boston (or Newton/Brookline/Cambridge) address, including a dorm or sublet, can vote here. It doesn’t matter what state our licenses are from, where we pay car insurance, or where our tuition bills are sent.
For all the time that we spend complaining about our disillusionment and waiting in line at Wendys, registering to vote should seem like a breeze. So, let’s just drop the “didn’t have time” to register excuse.
Instead, let’s swing by the College Democrats booth outside the student center during Thursday’s activities period en route to wait in line at Wendy’s. Registering to vote is a non-partisan issue, so we shouldn’t worry if there’s a Nixon poster up on our wall. Just fill out the form and the Democrats will even send it in.
If we’re not around on Thursday or are too scared of Democrats, we can call the Elections Division at 1-800-462-VOTE. We can also request a form at www.state.ma.us/sec. The Elections Division will send a card and we need to send it back in by October 16 in order to vote in this year’s election.
Considering how many people around the world want what we have, I think most of us can hold off being apathetic for 20 seconds to fill out a form and claim our freedom, or whatever.
