This election ends in two weeks, on Nov. 2, and the reality is that we — as young voters — have the power to affect the direction of our country and world. We decide who wins and who loses and what issues get addressed.
In our field work, Rock the Vote has come in contact with thousands of young Pennsylvanians and learned firsthand of their many concerns and daily struggles. Many people know someone that graduated from college but still doesn’t have a job.
Hundreds of thousands of young Americans are confronted with the same reality: the economy is weak and jobs are difficult to find. In fact, one in five young Americans are jobless, making young people the single largest group of unemployed individuals in our nation.
We need solutions for our broken economy that work for us as young adults. And we need to vote for people who will implement them. And the lack of jobs is just one of dozens of issues important to young people. In a recent poll conducted by Rock the Vote, we found that the budget deficit, health care, the cost of college, energy independence and immigration were all top concerns for young voters.
The truth of the matter is, whatever your preferred solution, the answers to many of our nation’s greatest problems are political ones. Our elected officials often decide the solutions to our greatest concerns. And there is perhaps no greater opportunity to influence your elected officials and, therefore, the legislation they create, than by casting your ballot this Nov. 2.
Now, I know how you may feel. Politics is often an ugly process, and to make matters worse, young voters are not being courted as they were two years ago. Despite many winning office in 2008 due to the major increases in young-voter turnout, this year’s candidates, with few exceptions, are largely ignoring us.
So, are you feeling ignored, pissed off, frustrated by the lack of leadership? These feelings make for a perfect cup of apathy soup.
Yet, I’m here to say put down that spoon and back away from the chowder!
Two years ago young voters proved their political power. We were courted heavily by both campaigns and came out in record numbers to support our preferred presidential candidate. It is a fact — whenever a candidate targets young voters, young voters will come out to vote for them.
On Nov. 2nd, we need to use our power again.
And Rock the Vote will be right there with you every step of the way. From our online election resource center at rockthevote.com, to our celebrity Public Service Announcements on TV and on the web, to our field team based in Philadelphia, Rock the Vote is fighting tirelessly to make sure young Americans use the power they have on Nov. 2nd. With over 45 million youth voters nationwide, young people are forming a tidal wave of voters. Whether it is for unemployment, the budget deficit, health care, the war in Afghanistan or any other issue for that matter, take a stand this Nov. 2 and vote fearlessly! Ian Doran works in Communication and Media at Rock the Vote. His e-mail address is ian@rockthevote.com.
