When it comes to voting, we all know that the youth vote is, unfortunately, the most apathetic toward the electoral process. Such a claim is substantiated by middle-aged and senior voters who consistently cast ballots in larger percentages than younger voters.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 36 percent of eligible 18- to 24-year-olds actually voted in the 2000 presidential election, compared to 62.9 percent of the 25-plus age group and 74 percent of 65- to 74-year olds. In the 2008 presidential primaries, less than 20 percent of eligible 18 to 30 year olds actually voted, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.
These statistics lead many to condemn the laziness of young adults. However, is it really fair to make such a judgment, especially considering the complexities of politics and the inexperience of younger citizens?
Furthermore, considering the negative attack ads that appear everywhere you go - which only discourage the American youth from political activity - is it really apathy keeping younger voters away from the polls, or simply the way the election process works?
Many stress the importance of becoming politically involved at an early age. However, few teenagers concern themselves with politics until they near voting age. Due to this inexperience, many young adults merely throw up their hands in confusion and/or frustration regarding politics until later in their lives. If teens were engaged in political discussion by their parents, teachers or some other unbiased, politically experienced adult, political interest among young adults would rise. However, very few people generally have an interest in what matters to a 16- or 17-year-old - especially regarding the government.
Furthermore, television, the Internet and other forms of mass media are full of advertisements attacking a candidate in the upcoming presidential election. Unfortunately, mudslinging seems to be an ever-increasing trend. However, according to an Ipsos Public Affairs poll, more than half of registered voters see John McCain as a more negative campaigner than Barack Obama, even though both sides participate.
While this negatively-charged campaign seems to be hurting McCain more than helping him thus far, political experts disagree on the effectiveness of such advertisements. Some argue that they repel voters from casting their ballots. Others suggest that it actually increases total voter turnout, but the Ipsos poll also reveals that approximately six out of 10 voters view political ads as ineffective."" Either way, the effects of negative campaigning on the youth vote - who have minimal exposure to the political world outside of mainstream media riddled with attack ads - is no doubt detrimental. Younger voters are turned away from politics in general as they grow to be more and more disinterested in the political process by mudslinging increasingly prevalent in modern politics.
Many wonder just what we can do about the disparagingly low voter turnout amongst the youth. Perhaps politicians could appeal more to younger voters if they utilized advertisements explaining how their policies and plans will aid today's average college students and other young adults. Rather, politicians attempt to attract older citizens, who constantly vote in greater force on Election Day than younger citizens. Unfortunately, by constantly appealing to matured adults rather than younger ones, politicians perpetuate nonparticipation among the youth by paying less attention to them and focusing instead on homeowners and people who have families of their own. If the political system was not so apathetic toward them, younger citizens might not be so apathetic toward voting.
Negative, untruthful advertisements, complexities of the political system and emphasizing the middle-aged and elderly population combine to push the average young American voter away from the polls. Thus, the low turnout among the youth vote has less to do with laziness that many believe, and more with disillusion regarding the entire election process.
Ryan Dashek is a junior majoring in biology. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
