Christina Hinkle
Staff Reporter
According to a CNN report, out of the 24 million 18- to 24-year-olds eligible to vote in the 2000 election, only 36% actually did.
With growing political awareness among college students, 80% of young voters said they intend to vote in the upcoming election.
There is no question that the upcoming election is both extremely important and particularly controversial. As college students, this decision is one of the most important we will make, especially since it is only a matter of time before we are in the real world and directly feeling the effects of our decision.
The McDaniel College Democrats and Republicans have both been working hard to get students ready for this November’s election, despite their varying opinions, the two groups have been working together to get students involved.
President of College Democrats, Pat Johnson ’11 said that their “first goal is to promote political activity on campus and in the community.”
“We also want to promote participation in the community as a whole regardless of political party. With the voter registration drive we don’t care how people affiliate themselves, we just want them to get involved and let their voice be heard,” says Johnson.
College Republicans’ President, Janice Watson ’09 feels the same way and says that their ultimate goal is “to raise political awareness in general,” and goes on to say, “We hope that by working with, rather than against the College Democrats, that we can foster political awareness on the campus.”
With both organizations working together to promote political awareness within the college community, students are becoming more inclined to get involved. First-time voter, Amanda Gushard-Edwards ’09 says she feels “honored to be part of such a monumental political event,” and Senior Jamie Patterson says she feels it’s “more important than ever for college students to get out there and voice their opinion, whatever that may be.”
With the election quickly approaching, and two campus organizations doing all they can to get students involved, there’s no better time to become politically active on campus. With 24 million eligible voters between the ages of 18 and 24, college students are capable of having a huge influence on the upcoming election if they are willing to get out there and voice their opinions.