Respect Our Vote: College Democrats Launch Nationwide Campaign to Protect Students' Rights

Senator Barack Obama inspires younger generations like no other politician in recent history. Rather than ignoring young people and writing off our entire generation as apathetic, Senator Obama reaches out to us and understands our needs. He offers the youth a refreshing alternative to regressive Bush-McCain policies, which continue to increase the financial burdens on college students. More importantly, our country is more vulnerable to another terrorist attack, and our economy is in crisis because of the current Republican administration. In this election, Senator Obama has inspired millions of people of all ages to get involved in our political system, making the point that change can only happen when "We the People" make it happen.

This is why according to a recent Rock the Vote poll, 87 percent of young people intend to vote this election cycle. Indeed, unprecedented voter registration numbers since the primaries have put a number of traditionally "red" states in play. In Virginia, home to 13 electoral votes, the Obama campaign registered nearly 50,000 new voters in August alone. The Obama campaign is rapidly closing in on its goal of registering over 150,000 new voters in Virginia by the October 6 deadline - a remarkable accomplishment in a state that hasn't voted Democratic since Lyndon Johnson carried it in 1964.

Yet with millions of young people preparing to cast their first vote, a shameful Republican misinformation campaign has emerged across the country. Inexperienced voters and young people are extremely vulnerable to miscommunication campaigns, and Republicans in Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, South Carolina, Virginia and all across the country have taken advantage of this over the past few weeks and months. In Colorado, a Republican county clerk falsely informed out-of-state students attending Colorado College that they could not register to vote in Colorado if their parents claimed them as dependants on their taxes. In Virginia and South Carolina, local registrars have intentionally lied to students registering to vote, telling them "you can't vote here." Indeed Republicans are discouraging young people from voting across the country, and these tactics must stop now.

But why would anyone try to strip someone of their right to vote? Yes, young people have voted increasingly Democratic over the past eight years - a USA Today/MTV/Gallup poll released yesterday found that 61 percent of young people support Barack Obama while just 32 percent support John McCain. But we live in a country founded on the premise that everyone has an equal voice on Election Day. We live in a country where you simply can't disenfranchise your political opponent's supporters because you cannot relate to their issues and their future.

To protect the essential right to vote and ensure that students are heard on Election Day, the College Democrats of America are launching a nationwide youth empowerment campaign. The project, entitled Respect Our Vote, intends to combat these despicable tactics and ensure that every student has all the information that they need to cast their vote on November 4th. Students will be able to educate themselves on their rights and report any incidents of voter intimidation on our new website: www.RespectTheYouthVote.com. More over, CDA will be transporting thousands of student activists from around the country to key battleground states to canvass colleges and inform students on the laws in their areas. The right to vote is a non-partisan issue, and we - as College Democrats - will do everything in our power to protect it. The youth vote will not be suppressed now or in the future.

Throughout our history, millions of people have fought to provide all Americans with the right to speak out, choose our leaders, and enjoy the freedoms that many of our peers are fighting for. We owe it to everyone in our generation to ensure that all of us are able to fulfill our civic responsibility. While Senator Obama continues to build a relationship between the youth and the political process, it is up to us to make sure that all students are able to voice their vote in the most important election of our lifetime.

Comments

[ervtx]

In addition to respecting our vote, how about respecting our speech? The University of Texas prohibits students from posting political signs in their dorm windows. The cost of exercising your right to free speech is your education. Read the student newspaper article here:

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/ut_moves_to_enforce_political-sign_ban

[Pupster]

I truly hope that the young get invested in this election (and all future elections). We now know how one person at the top can bring down a country and mortgage our futures. It's no longer acceptable to say, politics don't affect me or my life. It's no longer true that what happens in DC doesn't affect the rest of the country.

The choice this November can't be more stark, more urgent or more important. It's life and death. It's the lives of over 4000 dead soldiers in an unnecessary war; it's the health and finances of each one of our lives; it's the stature of our country's place in this world; and it's about the future of our lives and our children's lives.

I hope young people, and everyone else, realize just how important it is to vote.

[truesteam]

You know I was originally supporting Senator Clinton (first Biden). But, when it started to look like Senator Obama was the candidate I came on board. I called into a Radio show and expressed my thought that the 18-30 vote had better turn out. The host said she had every confidence that would happen. I told her my fear was there would be some kind of sneaky block of the 18-30 vote. I thought along the lines of the oil conspiring to have a free gas to 18-30 year old day on election day, tying the youth up in gas lines (I was kidding).
The radio host said and I believe her to be right. There is no way that young people involved in the years election are going to let anyone take away their vote. That is when we will see people taking to the streets. Guard your vote with your life. You guys are the engine of our future.

[kimi6]

I think you needs to team up with Facebook and MySpace to get this message out. It is very important that young people are aware of what the laws are.

[rednecka2z]

I like your reference to Lindon B. Johnson. Lindon Johnson was a conservative, brought in by John F. Kennedy to carry the Conservative South. Though Political history isn't through with the era, TV was the greatest change in Politics since world war II when coast to coast trains were the contact with the people. (Whistle Stops) Although the brains behind John F. Kennedy have been left out of our history books, They were nearly geniuses. Although I disagree with your position I commend you as an individual for leading this new revelation.

[rednecka2z]

I like your reference to Lindon B. Johnson. Although his life style was in question Lindon Johnson was a conservative, brought in by John F. Kennedy to carry the Conservative South. Though Political history isn't through with the era, TV was the greatest change in Politics since world war II when coast to coast trains were the contact with the people. (Whistle Stops) Although the brains behind John F. Kennedy have been left out of our history books, They were nearly geniuses. Although I disagree with your position I commend you as an individual for leading this new revelation.

[rednecka2z]

Honey good writing, I respect your wrights, but after a long life I have found that our children are directly influenced by their peers. Even in Street Gang Settings sadly it is true. My problem isn't with this influence it is with the effect. Educators learned even before I attended College "If we can convince one that our position is correct we will have 1000". Yes, dear. Your Independent Thoughts are nothing more than what has been taught. Today you scoff, One day you will say
"That Old Guy Had a good Point.

[milo h minderbinder]

I definitely hope turnout is that high.

Sadly, it seems like every four years the buzz is that it will finally be the election where young people turnout in great numbers...but it has never happened.

I'll believe that "87% intend to vote" when I see it.

[sticksnstones]

Great article, Ms. Naranjo ..... I hope your org. has been feverishly securing pro bono help for Nov. 4 and the weeks after. This election, I promise you, will be dirtier than either '00 or '04. Rest assured, you have the support of the majority of voting Americans. Please keep us all informed.

[rednecka2z]

Sorry sticksnstones. your statement isn't true. You need to study the importance of stats and how to use them. Then concentrate on the Study of "Cause and Effect. Sorry sticksnstones. your statement isn't true. You need to study the importance of stats and how to use them. Then concentrate on the Study of "Cause and Effect. Remember you are in a college of Liberal Arts. But the curlicum of Political Science is a misnomer. :Politics is an Art. "The art of deceit."

[MPeter]

Thank you. What a great article. Thanks for speaking up Katie. You just made my day.