Monday, November 3, 2008
By now, you’ve probably heard the arguments of who to support and why. You know the issues, the candidates and the plans for the future of our country. You’ve been constantly reminded of the historical significance of this election and the enormous obstacles we as a country will face when it’s over.
But none of this would matter or even exist if it weren’t for one fundamental cornerstone of democracy – the right to vote.
Tomorrow, on Nov. 4, your vote is what it all comes down to.
So what does your vote mean?
“Voting is your power,” said Barbara Ballard, associate director of civic programming and outreach at the Dole Institute and 16-year state representative (D). “It’s our way of having our wishes known and our voices heard.”
“It’s a duty, that’s simply it,” said Ann Cudd, associate dean of humanities and professor of social and political philosophy. “It’s the duty of all citizens to vote and express their opinions.”
Voting can be defined as your dutiful power or your powerful duty to this country. Voting is essential to what it means to live in a democracy and it is not to be taken for granted.
“Democracy isn’t free,” Ballard said. “It doesn’t just happen. This is our democracy. If we don’t take an active part in it, who will?”
Soon the reigns of this democracy will be passed on to their generation, for better or for worse, and it’ll be their responsibility to ensure its preservation.
By voting, you are effectively laying a brick in what will become the foundation of this country’s future.
That future is on their generation’s hands.
“We are the ones that are going to feel the effects of Washington longer than anyone else,” said Michael Gray, Buhler junior and legislative director of the Student Legislative Awareness Board. “By casting a vote you’re saying you want to have a future as bright as your parents.”
Successful student registration efforts, including registration tables set up by SLAB, have noticed a galvanized student interest in this year’s election.
“We’ve more than doubled the number of people registered since SLAB has been an organization this year compared to any year past,” Gray said.
Ballard said that she expected this election to be unprecedented in the number of 18-24-year-old voters, a sizeable demographic that had been underrepresented in years past.
“Students want to move the country in a different direction,” Ballard said. “They want to see an outcome they can agree with.”
That outcome will affect everything from global warming to health care, from the war in Iraq to the economy.
Simply put, this election is something their generation cannot afford to ignore or mess up.
For example, given the current economic crisis, which will inevitably affect student loans and the future job market, it is increasingly difficult for students to avoid the issues of the election.
“Unless we get our economy going strong again, unemployment will be high and that will directly affect students’ pocket books,” Cudd said. “Even while they’re here loans will not be very easy to get and will be expensive.”
So what if you don’t vote?
For starters, you’ll have no room to complain if the election doesn’t go the way you had wanted.
“We always vote to have our voices heard and to make a difference,” Ballard said. “If you sit back and do nothing then you know you didn’t try to make a difference.”
Tomorrow, on Nov. 4, making that difference is nothing to be taken lightly, and with your vote it can become a reality.
— — Edited by Jennifer Torline
Editorial: Voting easy for all students
Students who claim to not have the time to vote will have ...
Get Involved: Student Senate Elections
KUnited and Direct Democracy are two parties associated with Student Senate elections ...
Civic Engagement Week gets students involved
Throughout the week, students will have the chance to get involved in ...
Ballard encourages students to serve
This fall students are taking a class from Barbara Ballard designed to ...
Voters may not turn out
Even the historical nature of this year's election may not be enough ...
KU students talk voter registration at Harvard
Leaders of political groups from the University of Kansas met with students ...
Student Senate notebook
Dole Institute emphasizes student political involvement
Civic Engagement Week wraps up today with a watch party for the ...
Editorial: Why don’t students vote in this ...
Deans prepare for recent budget cuts
KU is searching for ways to maximize resources after an announced $2 ...
The number of registered voters set new ...
Student Legislation sees shift in number in students registered to vote
Q&A with Dennis Moore
The former 3rd District Congressman answers questions about politics and current issues.
Editorial: Support the University’s Spencer Museum of ...
The Spencer is up for a Visitor’s Choice Award from The Kansas ...
Durbin: Use Internet to get informed
Presidential politics should be a priority for students.
Students disconnected from city election
Today’s the last day to register to vote and past student participation ...
Ballard selected for new position
University of Kansas staff member and state representative Barbara Ballard can add ...
Buser: Technology doesn’t lead to ‘dumbest generation’
Letter: Why haven’t you joined the Prop ...
'Uncounted' reveals missing voting truths
The film, showing at Liberty Hall, explores voting problems of the 2004 ...
Cosby: Importance of foreign elections shouldn't be ...
Upcoming Sudanese elections represent larger fight for democracy.
Anti-Obama Facebook status messages abound
Former University of Texas backup lineman Buck Burnette was among those who ...
Students experience political change in Morocco
Study abroad participants witness change leading up to elections.
Editorial: Voting a responsibility
Student Senate candidates spend countless hours in session and campaigning. As hard ...
Douglas County sees only slight increase in ...
The number of registered voters is up 27 percent, but only 5 ...
It's time to ask questions, get answers
Get to know the candidates at The Kansan's Student Senate Debate. Presidential ...
Loyd directs passions in packed schedule
Junior Katie Loyd's numerous activities — including serving as Kappa Kappa Gamma ...
Letter: Mob rule should not decide rights ...
Brown: Presidential election should revitalize politics on ...
Some who can’t vote still care
These international students followed the presidential elections though they weren’t able to ...
Voter registration for ends March 23
To vote in April's election, voters must register in Kansas Union or ...
Student Senate candidates make final election preparations
Candidates from KUnited and Senatus Populus Que Ramenus prepare for the upcoming ...
Enrollment shows effect of economy
School of Business reports increase in students since economic recession.
Sambaluk: Change should come from individuals
Making the most of college experience affects change in the world.
Third party candidates shake things up
Obama or McCain not speaking for you? Look at Nader or Barr.
Neubauer: Be cool; don’t vote
Not voting is just as strong an expression of democracy as pulling ...
Bennett: Ron Paul is the only hope
With the 2012 election less than a year away, Texas Congressman Ron ...
Alumnus falls short in city commission election
Tom Johnson, general manager for KJHK, had hoped to increase student involvement ...
Blog: Basic Training
Reporter Kelly Stroda is spending six days at Ft. Leavenworth and Ft. ...
Anderson: Is our democracy healthy?
Be unique, go vote
Voter turnout among young people is historically low and this year looks ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID