Take a deep breath.
And then pat yourself on the back. While political apathy has marred the last few generations of college students in this country, no one would have drawn such a conclusion from the atmosphere on Penn's campus yesterday. The entire University was buzzing, well aware that this Tuesday was not like other days.
On Election Day, this community grasped the importance of political discourse and activism.
Hold onto it.
All the individuals and campus groups involved in helping with the election, promoting voter turnout and informing students of their rights are to be commended. But it is one thing to get caught up in the whirlwind finale of a campaign season -- in fact, it is exceedingly difficult to avoid it. It is quite another thing to maintain anywhere near that level of intensity and involvement on a regular basis in between presidential elections.
And yet, we should.
When, in 1970, the United States Constitution was amended and the voting age was lowered to 18, mass turnout of young people in elections was anticipated. After all, during the Vietnam era, it was difficult to envision any set of circumstances under which the 18- to 24-year-old voting bloc would not be highly politically active.
Since that time, however, voter turnout among young people has been consistently low. For years, pundits, political scientists and other pontificators have puzzled over exactly why this is. Some blame politicians for not effectively speaking to young voters. Others blame young voters for not voting, sending out indicators to politicians that issues concerning 18- to 24-year-olds do not need attention.
But if early indications hold true, this election will destroy this dynamic and replace it with a new one, in which candidates who seriously want a shot at the presidency must engage the 18- to 24-year-old portion of the electorate.
It is up to us to make sure that this new dynamic lasts.
President Amy Gutmann came to Penn wishing, among other things, for the student body to set a new standard of political involvement. At this point, it seems that her vision has become a reality. It is now up to us to make sure that this reality continues.
