The Carrier editorial reflects a consensus of the editorial board.
Campus Carrier editorial board
It’s election season. The Republicans and Democrats have both held several televised debates and are hard at work campaigning, particularly in Iowa and New Hampshire. The Iowa caucus, the first in the nation, is on Feb. 1, with the New Hampshire primary following soon after on Feb. 9.
While the field of candidates may seem overwhelming, with 11 Republicans and three Democrats remaining in the race, voters will soon be making their choice. For many college students, this election will be their first trip to the polls.
Voter turnout in 2012 for 18-to-24-year olds was just over 41 percent, according to a 2013 report from the U.S. Census Bureau. Many younger voters aren’t following the election very closely, either—according to a study by the Harvard University Institute of Politics released last month, only 12 percent of 18-to-29 year olds are following the 2016 election “very” closely, and 20 percent are not following the race at all.
Young people choose not to vote for a variety of reasons. Some may feel unqualified to make an informed decision, overwhelmed by the issues at stake, or unsure if their vote makes a difference. However, several issues relevant to college students and young adults, such as student loans and unemployment, are at the forefront of the candidates’ campaigns. Other issues the candidates are focusing on, such as immigration and racial discrimination, will shape American society for years to come.
Students should take the time to listen to the candidates and do their own research in order to make an informed decision about who they would like to lead the country for the next several years.
While Iowa and New Hampshire are beginning the primary elections next month, southern states are holding primaries this semester as well. Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee are all participating in Super Tuesday on March 1. Florida’s primary is on March 15, and South Carolina will hold its Republican primary on Feb. 20 and its Democratic primary on Feb. 27.
Voter registration deadlines for the primaries are approaching. Deadlines vary by state, with Georgia’s on Feb. 1. Each state’s official website has a page where residents can register to vote. Rock the Vote, a nonprofit and nonpartisan group that aims to get young Americans involved in politics, also has voter registration information on their website. According to Rock the Vote, it should only take most people about two minutes to register to vote—time well spent considering the importance of political involvement.
Students can also apply on their state’s website for an absentee ballot which they can have sent to their Berry mailbox. Absentee ballots make voting convenient for people living far from home who can’t make it to the polls due to other commitments.
Although the presidential election is still over nine months away, candidates are reaching out to voters now, and students should be listening and taking action.