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What made the election of the president of the United States so special was not only the president who was elected, but the number of youth who participated in getting Barack Obama into office.
According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, approximately 24 million 18-29 year olds cast ballots in the 2008 election, a turnout rate of 54.5 percent.
Another report released by the Duke Chronicle stated that “in the three preceding presidential elections, youth voter turnout rose from 37 to 48 percent. In each of those elections, youth votes accounted for just 17 percent of ballots cast (overall turnout also rose).”
This shows that the youth of America can work together, and in fact, that Americans can work together.
Youth voters turned out in droves and almost two-thirds supported President-Elect Obama.
Obama promised change and it appears as though change has come to the apathetic nature of youth regarding political involvement.
Although the voting process was mostly pencil and paper, the use of technology was in full force for Americans to get out the vote.
Both McCain and Obama used their Web sites to gather volunteers and to remind registered voters where to vote. TV, Facebook and cell phone texting all helped spread the word about voting. Some may see this method of communicating a curse instead of a blessing, but it showed to hold positive outcomes concerning this election. Facebook and cell phone users sent reminders to friends and family to vote, while MTV promoted voting with the graphic “Declare Yourself” ads.
However, many young voters promoted voting with traditional methods, such as walking door-to-door and encouraging people to vote.
Student Government Association’s Executive Student Advocate Kirk Laughlin organized students to remind their peers to vote. His team and the members of Delta Sigma Theta knocked on resident hall doors and caravanned students to Noe Middle School, where some U of L students voted.
However voting promotion was enacted, it worked.
The election itself reflects that youth do want, and, in some cases need, change, by showing up to the polls in record numbers.
Hopefully, those youth who made their voices heard on Nov. 4, will continue to inform themselves politically, as well as engage others in the voting process.
It is imperative to the future of America that the youth remain politically involved and active.Let’s hope this isn’t simply a one-time thing.
