In 1971, CONGRESS passed the twenty-sixth amendment, which lowered the voting age to eighteen; as a result, there was energy, enthusiasm, and excitement among young voters. However, following the 1972 presidential election, despite being granted the opportunity to participate in the elective process, the youth drifted into apathy. The 2000 election began a rise of renewed excitement in politics among the youth and the trend continues upward for our generation.
The 2008 election was electrifying for both houses of Congress and the Presidency. Voter participation was up from 60.1 percent to 61.6 percent. The youth vote (voters between the ages of 18-29) delivered explosive turnouts at the voting booths, comprising 17 percent of the voting population. Let's hope that this energy among the young voters will carry into fall 2009 when Virginia elects a new governor. It is essential for young voters to remember why they participated in the 2008 elections. Our age pool is capable of attracting the candidates' attention toward our immediate needs and concerns. This is only possible if we demonstrate an interest by voting in higher numbers, making up a significant portion of the constituency.
In order to engage and encourage students to participate in the upcoming elections, the Voter Registration Coalition (VRC), a non-partisan, student-run initiative sponsored by the Center for Politics, strives to register as many University students as possible. The VRC helps students fill out registration forms and educates the community about the voting process. Students can register with their Charlottesville address or another Virginia address.
If you are registered in a Virginia locality other than Charlottesville and/or you will not be able to make it to the polls on Nov. 3, you can vote by absentee ballot. Contrary to popular myth, all absentee ballots in Virginia are counted toward election totals regardless of the outcome from in-person votes, so your vote will be important. The deadline for applying to vote absentee by mail is 5:00 PM on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The VRC will be tabling around Grounds with absentee forms, or you can download one from the Virginia State Board of Elections' Web site and mail it to your local registrar. The deadline for applying and casting your ballot in-person at your local voter registration office is Saturday, Oct. 31.
Students who wish to register in their home states should not think that they are unaffected. Each state has local elections of significance throughout the year, and registering now is also important in preparation for next year's midterm elections for U.S. Congress. The VRC encourages you to make your voice heard on the issues of importance to you and your state.
For Virginia voters, the gubernatorial race is full of hot-button topics such as the economy, education, transportation, and health care. Republican candidate Bob McDonnell and Democrat candidate Creigh Deeds each have plans for dealing with the crises currently facing the state. Will you be able to find a job when you graduate? How will the state's funding for the University change? Will the University be required to accept more in-state students? Will your drive home be obstructed with traffic or construction? The answers to these questions depend on who becomes the next governor of the Commonwealth. Learn more about each candidate by reading the news, visiting their Web sites, and watching the debates.
Voter turnout predictions for 2009 are much lower, particularly with the youth vote, than for the previous year. Therefore, the onus rests on us to be energized and display an even greater showing at the polls this fall. Our vote profoundly influenced the country last year and it has the potential to continue to count in policy decisions. Voting can be just as important as volunteering in helping to change the lives of community members.
Voting is a simple yet vital way for students to become civically engaged and to have a voice in the political process. As current and future leaders, we should start affecting change now. The issues at stake are of critical importance for our generation and for those to come. It is up to us to continue the upward trend of voter participation through 2009 and into the future.
Lisa Keller and John V. Culver are members of the Voter Registration Coalition.
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