Despite the future of our nation being in the hands of our youth, many young adults show no interest in visiting the polls or actively engaging in politics.
According to a 2012 poll done by Harvard’s Institute of Politics, only 51 percent of Millennials, those born in the 1980’s and 1990’s will vote in the upcoming election.
Lee Ballestero, a Political Science Professor at Moorpark College, said politicians know that younger people don’t vote at such high rates.
“There is a reason why education gets cut before social security, and that’s because older people vote,” said Ballestero.
According to an article by The Huffington Post published Aug. 14 2012, four-year colleges saw a rise in tuition and fees by16 percent to 21 percent last year in California, Arizona, Georgia, and Washington. If this increase only accounts for 2011, it can fairly be asserted that tuition rates are likely to rise annually. For those unhappy with this statistic, participation in the political process can be a way for students to have their voice heard on the matter.
Millennials also may feel as though they are forced to choose between two political parties they may not identify with.
Jonathan Nagi, a 21-year-old Environmental Science major at Moorpark College, said the Independent Party is at a disadvantage.
“The independent parties who are running for office do not have an equal opportunity to get their points across to the public, which is not a problem faced by members of Republican or Democratic parties,” said Nagi.
Another factor to consider are voter suppression efforts. There has been legislation passed in Idaho, South Dakota Michigan, Louisiana, Florida, and Rhode Island requiring a photo ID in order to vote. This law results in the disenfranchisement of low-income voters who do not have a driver’s license because they don’t own a vehicle. These low-income voters are also not likely to hold a passport, and would be turned away at the polls. These are citizens that have been able to vote in the past but are now having that right stripped from them. It is efforts like these that can dissuade young voters from getting involved in the election, which was likely, the intended purpose.
Steven Pfeffer, Political Science Professor at Moorpark College, said that politicians might not view young voters as important.
“You’re not a threat and you’re not an opportunity You’re not a threat because you don’t vote, you’re not an opportunity because you don’t have any money,” said Pfeffer.
But Pfeffer believes there is still a chance to bring about change.
“It wouldn’t take that much more of young people or a group of people to actually start voting and turning out to make a difference or to be listened to,” said Pfeffer.
By simply not voting or educating themselves politically, Millennials will continue to leave their interests unprotected.
For those who are interested in voting in the upcoming election, registration can be done online for California residents at www.sos.ca.gov/electionsthe deadline to register is Oct. 22.
