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Volume CXXXII, Number 3 |
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Why should students vote?
AIMEE TOW
STAFF WRITER
Every fall, students from all over the country (and the
world) flock Brunswick, Maine to attend a small liberal arts school called
Bowdoin College. They educate themselves in everything from sculpture
to physics, play two different sports, are involved with an infinite number
of campus organizations, and still have time to party on weekends. Students
become quickly immersed in a completely new environment, which a month
ago they knew nothing about. As brand new citizens to this area, who previously
had no connection to the area, why should students vote on Election Day?
Bowdoin students who attended the ALL DAY voter registration drive on
Tuesday had many insights. Sophomore Rebecca Fontaine believes it is important
to vote because democracy is built upon the principle to be represented.
She says "it's not a democracy if you don't vote and voice your opinions."
We can also gleam important reasons to vote from recent history. "After
the 2000 election, it is very obvious that democracy depends upon the
individual voter and that an individual can make a difference," sums
up junior Alissa Cordner.
Politicians are influenced by their constituents. Since our age group (18 to 24) has the lowest voter turnout of all voting age groups (less than 20 percent), politicians do not pay attention to the issues we are concerned about. Instead, they listen to the concerns of older voters who voted for them or who will vote for them in the future. Therefore, they focus on issues like retirement and health care; not issues students are concerned about like the environment, discrimination, and affordable public housing. To me, this mindset makes perfect sense. Why should politicians waste their time focusing on issues of people who are not even going to make it to the polls the next time Election Day rolls around? This is why students should vote. Politicians in Maine do affect us. In the spring of 2000, there was a movement in Maine to restrict college students from voting in any Maine elections. This is a clear violation of our rights as citizens of the United States. By mobilizing Bowdoin students to vote, together we can hold politicians accountable for the promises they make during their campaign on the issues that WE care about.
VOTE BECAUSE YOU CAN!
This Thursday at 7 p.m., there is a Gubernatorial Candidate Forum on the Environment in Portland. Free van transportation will be provided by the Environmental Studies Department. Come at meet the candidates for governor. If you are interested, contact Aimee Tow at ctow@bowdoin.edu.