THAT TIME of year has rolled around again. We've beenbombarded with e-mails, flyers, chalkings and maybe even phone calls about University elections. But how many of us actually pay attention and vote? Historically, only about 30 percent of the student body cast ballots (32.22 percent in the last spring election).
Compare that with the recent Iraqi elections, about 60 percent voter turnout, or the recent U.S. elections, also about 60 percent. One can sum up the University civic participation in one word -- pathetic. The lack of student involvement on even the smallest level of commitment is troublesome and may shed light onto a larger problem of youth apathy.
We are all privileged to attend Mr. Jefferson's University, and most of us consider our University to be reflective of an intelligent, active and enlightened community. We've all been well-versed on the virtues of democratic participation and egalitarian governing principles. In such a prestigious institution of higher learning, voter participation should be higher than the national average.
Additionally, voting in University elections is as user-friendly as possible. You have 130 hours over six days to sit at your computer and click the mouse a few times (We all know that we will at least spend half that time in front of the screen anyway). No waiting in poll lines for three hours, going out in rainy weather, having to punch out hanging chads, being bothered by exit pollsters or being constrained to a 10-hour voting window. In the time it takes to check your e-mail, you can vote. Unlike the Iraqi election, no one is threatening your life if you venture out to vote; you don't even have to walk out the door. Yet, University students pitifully turn out half of the Iraqi vote.
As Gavin Reddick, UJC Judge and Student Council representative, stated, our much-touted system of self-governance is put to shame. In an e-mail response, he noted, "At U.Va. we boast of our commitment to student self-governance but this doesn't seem to extend to participating in elections. We complain about a system dominated by politicos and endorsing organizations but if everyone were to take the time to become educated and cast their votes accordingly, I'd like to think that we could have a system of self-governance worthy of our pride."
Some argue that the political position of abstention from voting is also a viable expression of opinion. This is legitimate, although students who choose not to vote don't have the right to ignorantly complain about Council. I'm certainly not saying that Council is beyond reproof, but if you have a problem with an action of the current administration, a piece of legislation that was passe or a representative's proposal, don't just passively spout condemnation; get involved! Voice your opinion by petitioning your representatives, attending Council and committee meetings and researching candidates' records before voting, or even by running for an office.
While concerns facing the student body might seem irrelevant to your individual lives (although most really are pertinent once you examine them), how will you view national issues that might not seem to directly affect your life now, but will in the future (e.g. social security, tax policy, health care, education reform, etc.)? A strong civic involvement in life starts from a commitment at a younger age. Voting is only a miniscule part of our civic duty. We reaffirm the democratic foundation of our nation by being informed University students, community members and citizens or even campaigning for a position or championing a cause we feel passionate about. If we don't even know what is going on in our small microcosm of society, how are we supposed to be informed citizens of the world? Our contributions to society through political involvement ensure the continuity of a stable self-governing institution for generations. Allowing a select few to control major and minor aspects of our lives is dangerous, not only on the University level, but on a much larger scale as well.
So, take 15 minutes to visit the candidates' Web sites for Council, UJC and Honor and get to know a little about their visions, goals and accomplishments. Read up on the referenda on the ballot on the University Board of Elections Web site. Talk with peers about their opinions of candidates and bills. Tomorrow, or sometime over the next 130 hours, exercise the right that so many of our predecessors have fought for and that many in the world are still denied.
Whitney Blake is a Cavalier Daily associate editor. She can be reached at wblake@cavalierdaily.com.
Read More
GILLIKIN and JOHNSON: U.Va., please rescind your Federal Executive Institute bid
By Steven L. Johnson and Matthew Gillikin | YesterdayBy withdrawing its competing bid and endorsing the Charlottesville City Schools’ bid, the University has a high-profile opportunity to strengthen its partnership with Charlottesville City Schools.
GARVIE: Commend the University’s continuous care for the environment
By Adeline Garvie | 3 days agoWe must applaud the University for the efforts they are continuously making to be more sustainable.
CARTER: Did anyone actually want VERVE?
By Nathaniel Carter | April 19, 2025While VERVE may shift student demand closer to Grounds, whether housing market effects will outweigh the harms of the University’s expanding presence is a gamble Charlottesville residents may not wish to take.
