LUCAS PUENTE

Youth apathy dangerous in politics

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Posted: 11/14/07

Ignorance is bliss." Unfortunately, many young Americans have applied that famous saying toward their political views.

As a student of politics and Center Director for the Roosevelt Institution, a student run think tank, I find this incredibly disturbing. For some reason young voters, including almost all of us here at the University, have taken a particularly distant approach to American government, despite our overwhelming potential for change.

American media has shed light on some of the more prominent efforts fighting this trend, led of course by MTV's "Rock the Vote." Other notable efforts include WWF's "Smackdown the Vote," Russell Simmons' Hip Hop Summit Action Network, Norman Lear's "Declare Yourself Project Vote Smart," the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), the Youth Vote Coalition and many others.

Nevertheless, the U.S. Census reports 18-24 year olds turned out at a dismal rate of 47 percent in the 2004 Presidential election, lagging well behind the national average of 64 percent. This was, however, an 11-point increase from 2000. Unsurprisingly, we are far less participative than political juggernauts, known more commonly as "seniors." Sadly, this block outperformed us by a staggering 26 percentage points. We wonder why politicians often are seen as catering to this demographic, but they are clearly operating logically by appeasing this voting block.

Compounding this issue is the fact that approval of the national government is around a historic low. In fact, a recent NBC/ Wall-Street Journal poll shows a minute 19 percent of Americans approving of Congress while 31 percent do the same for President Bush.

Surprisingly, this data bucks the notion that the country is solely fed up with the current administration; rather, it suggests that we are dismayed with seemingly all politicians.

As college students, we need finally to accept responsibility for our country's government, thereby increasing transparency and accountability.

The most effective way is to become politically active. The most sensible remedy to this deteriorating situation is to put politicians in office that reflect Americans' views.

One of the most frequently ignored truths of the American political system is the far-reaching effect of apathy. When voters fail to cast their vote, they are not only preventing their voice from being heard but also multiplying the influence of our demographic competitors.

So what's the solution? In addition to the obvious answers of increasing voter education and civic participation, University students would be wise to register and vote at their campus residence.

The Civic Youth project showed that turnout was eight to 10 percent higher among those who did so as opposed to those who faced the hurdles of the infamous absentee ballots. Predictably, states that offer Election Day registration have turnout rates 14 percent higher. Georgia, however, does not have this.

Fortunately, University students aren't out of luck. 1998 amendments to the Higher Education Act require universities and colleges receiving federal funds, including the University, to "make good-faith efforts to distribute voter registration forms to every student." Student can find such forms at Room 325 in Tate Hall.

So I encourage you to prepare for the looming elections that will undoubtedly determine our country's next four years.

The issue is not to support one party or the other - rather, it is to force politicians to hear our voice. There are 33,660 students at this University and more than 17 million and counting nationwide. This is a huge number, and if we work together, we can make change.

- Lucas Puente is a sophomore from Wilmington, N.C., majoring in finance and international affairs and is the Center Director for the Roosevelt Institution.