Spring Break
Young, but not stupid
Editorial Board
Issue date: 9/26/08 Section: Ed-Op
This past week, fliers were posted around campus claiming that police would be at the polls Nov. 4 reviewing voters' records for outstanding violations and arresting offenders on the spot.
This information was deemed "blatantly false" by the administration, and although these fliers have been removed from campus, it is still imperative that we step up to the plate and show everyone that students are truly ready to speak their minds and will not be intimidated by such shameful tactics.
That fliers would be distributed to frighten young and first-time voters is downright disturbing, and it is particularly disgraceful this year, during a presidential election period when young people are gaining recognition for being more politically active than ever before.
It is no mystery that young people have a large presence in this year's election. A March 27 New York Times article wrote: "CNN, which drew about 60,000 viewers ages 18 to 34 a night in February 2007, drew 218,000 on an average night this February, numbers that were increased by coverage of several presidential debates."
Now that large groups of young people, including students, have learned about the issues and have started paying attention to political developments, it is time to put this knowledge to good use.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, there have been 143,278 new registered voters in the state since 2004, and there are 822,105 people between the ages of 18 and 24 registered in Pennsylvania.
Though these may seem like staggering numbers already, we strongly urge each student to register to vote if he or she hasn't already, before the registration deadline on Oct. 6. Every vote counts, and in Pennsylvania, if you're not registered, you can't vote.
The partnership of Drexel Votes 2008, the Drexel Democrats and the Drexel Republicans has made large strides in registering students at this University. We are glad to see that the blatant lies of the voter intimidation fliers around campus have not deterred students from registering to vote.
Remember that our influence as young people over this year's election goes beyond political campaigns on MTV or blogging about candidates. To truly make a difference, the physical act of voting must take precedence over any media frenzy surrounding the election - and registering to vote is the first step in making history this year.
This information was deemed "blatantly false" by the administration, and although these fliers have been removed from campus, it is still imperative that we step up to the plate and show everyone that students are truly ready to speak their minds and will not be intimidated by such shameful tactics.
That fliers would be distributed to frighten young and first-time voters is downright disturbing, and it is particularly disgraceful this year, during a presidential election period when young people are gaining recognition for being more politically active than ever before.
It is no mystery that young people have a large presence in this year's election. A March 27 New York Times article wrote: "CNN, which drew about 60,000 viewers ages 18 to 34 a night in February 2007, drew 218,000 on an average night this February, numbers that were increased by coverage of several presidential debates."
Now that large groups of young people, including students, have learned about the issues and have started paying attention to political developments, it is time to put this knowledge to good use.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, there have been 143,278 new registered voters in the state since 2004, and there are 822,105 people between the ages of 18 and 24 registered in Pennsylvania.
Though these may seem like staggering numbers already, we strongly urge each student to register to vote if he or she hasn't already, before the registration deadline on Oct. 6. Every vote counts, and in Pennsylvania, if you're not registered, you can't vote.
The partnership of Drexel Votes 2008, the Drexel Democrats and the Drexel Republicans has made large strides in registering students at this University. We are glad to see that the blatant lies of the voter intimidation fliers around campus have not deterred students from registering to vote.
Remember that our influence as young people over this year's election goes beyond political campaigns on MTV or blogging about candidates. To truly make a difference, the physical act of voting must take precedence over any media frenzy surrounding the election - and registering to vote is the first step in making history this year.
Be the first to comment on this story