Ending an Apathetic Era

Ever since the stampede of excited young voters turned out on caucus day in Iowa, I've been convinced that this election will be the one that delivers on the elusive promises of youth turnout and marks the arrival of a new generation. Whether it's attributable to the intolerable state of American domestic and international affairs, the tanked economy offering us limited opportunities, high gas prices, health insurance, taxes on social security benefits we'll never get to use, an unjust war, a futile preemptive military strategy that has exacerbated the threat of terrorism, the inspirational leadership of Barack Obama, the ease of part-time activism provided by the Internet, or just a plain old coming-of-age awakening: The high stakes facing our country seem to register with a majority of my peers. The desire to act seems notably different than it did in 2004 or 2000.

Still, I had an interesting series of experiences this week which gave me pause regarding the logistics of election day readiness, particularly how this will play out with the first-time voters who are expected to buoy an Obama victory.

On Saturday, my friend and I were registering voters at the USC-Ohio St. football game, and a remarkable number of students were confused about whether they are supposed to vote at home with their parents, at the dorm, or via absentee ballot. This was reinforced today when I was guest lecturing at Occidental college for a political science class. The students there also expressed concerns that the frequently-reported student enthusiasm for Obama and voting is somewhat overplayed (from his own alma mater!), and that people really are burned out on this long election process. (Check out Northwestern University's recent Media Management Center report on this burnout, which I wrote about last week in Editor & Publisher.)

I also spoke with several low-income service employees working at the USC game who said they are concerned that they'll be able to be away from work long enough to cast their votes. It's alarming to consider that people will make the effort to participate, but that polling places might not be ready to accommodate them. I heard about so many instances like this during the primary election that I'm considering being a poll worker on election day as a way to help make sure that every vote gets counted. I can still remember staying up all night in November of 2000, feeling like if I just stayed awake long enough the commentators would declare that George Dub had not actually won the election and it was just a vivid nightmare.

If you are also afraid of such a scenario repeating itself during this critical election, I encourage you to get your friends and family registered to vote. My friends at Declare Yourself have a very user-friendly system that explains all you need to know. For the social networking fiends, there is also a great Facebook app called Your Revolution, which makes the process a snap.

Comments

[joshuahmcdonald]

Take Heart!

Do you see all of the anger in here? The hate? The lies? The doublethink? They claim that we are desperate. And they are right. Desperate for CHANGE!

The opposition has been fed a steady diet of fear for 8 long years...they will fight back the only way they know how. They will call you a liar. They will say that you are desperate. DO NOT LISTEN!

They will use the Rovian tactics of distortion and manipulation and attacking strength from weakness. DO NOT LISTEN!

Remember that they are doublethinkers (I implore you to re-read 1984, at least Chapter IX, so that you can truly understand what they are doing). DO NOT LISTEN!

When they say you are a liar it is because they are lying. When they claim that you are desperate it is because they are desperate. When they assert that Obama CAN'T win it is because they know that he WILL.

The increase in their numbers and volume is a GOOD thing. Their anger is illustrative of their fear. They have no issues to discuss. So, instead, they rant and rave in a constant diatribe of fear and hate.

NOW is the time to display the true courage of our convictions. NOW is the time to show those who mindlessly chant of honor and freedom and patriotism what these words really mean. NOW is the time to stand strong...to be the better man. NOW is the time to take our country back!

[za2008]

JOSH, CHILL!

No need to repost this in every discussion.

[joshuahmcdonald]

I appreciate your point za2008. I really do. But today it was either post this everywhere or go insane. I won't do this every day...but today it was necessary. :)

[ProudLiberalDan]

Great post.

I'd add this one thing.

Everyone who can vote early or by absentee SHOULD. Expect desperate Republicans to do anything and everything to supress turnout on election day. If we have already voted ourselves, we are free to help new and other voters get to the polls themselves. Expect deliberately long lines in minority-dominated precincts in states or counties controlled by Republicans -- just for starters.

[jadeba]

This is critically important. This blog needs to be seen by everyone - I just sent the links to my email list. The rpubs will do everything they can to disenfranchise students and working people - mail in ballots will take care of this problem. They will try to tie up the process so these individuals can't take the time and vote. Everyone, send these links out! Thanks, Meagan! Good job.

[bwilder]

The youth vote is going to have a huge impact. My 25 and 19 year old sons have never
been so excited and so interested in the process. They and their friends will be casting their
votes for Obama-Biden. Many first time voters are so proud that their very first votes will
be cast in an election that is not only critical on the issues facing our country, but also
about the fact that it's the first time a black candidate has a real chance at the highest office
in the country!

The youth vote is also not being accurately reflected in the polls. They are the cell phone only generation and are not being contacted by pollsters. They had a huge impact in the Iowa primary and
in getting Obama this far. Don't underestimate these wonderful young people. They know their futures are on the line and the majority of them plan to vote and plan to vote for Barack Obama.