Historic election spurs enthusiastic involvement from UAHS students

Story by Jamie Arkin and Corey McMahon

The past two presidential elections have been two of the closest and most controversial in our nation’s history. However, according to a study by Pew Charitable Trusts, an independent, nonprofit organization, only 51.6 percent of Ohio’s citizens aged 18-24 cast a ballot in the 2004 election, despite the
pivotal role Ohio played in the election. Many political pundits, such as USA Today’s Andrew Sherry, have attributed President George W. Bush’s success in Ohio to this lack of youth voter turnout, because many young voters supported John Kerry.

This year, due to the historic nature of the election and the incumbent president’s record-low approval ratings, the youth population has been energized. Youth voter turnout in the 2008 primaries increased by 10 percent from the 2000 primaries, according to a PCT study. Many young voters at UAH S are finding ways to get involved in an election that will have a significant impact on their futures.

Getting out the Vote

According to Government teacher Kelly Scott, young voter turnout will
most likely increase in the 2008 election.

“This election has the attention of the most under-represented group of
voters: 18-24 year olds,” Scott said. “The young generation is starting
to realize that decisions made in Washington will affect their future.”

Senior Sarah Higbee said she plans to vote this November because she realizes issues today will impact her future.

“Most of the current issues will affect our future down the road,” Higbee said. “The future is important.”

Senior Justin Ping said he decided to cast a ballot because he understands the importance of having his opinion heard.

“It is nice to have a say,” Ping said. “It is nice to know you are doing what you can to shape the way things will be.”

With more students understanding the importance of casting their ballots, it is likely that the common values and opinions of young voters will play a key role in deciding the election. According to the Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio’s elections chief said roughly 660,000 new voters have registered in 2008.

The number of increased voters was shown this year in the March primaries,
where a large share of these new voters were younger voters. Voters aged 18-24 increased by 10 percent from the primary elections in 2000 according to the Pew Charitable Trusts study.

Since the increase in young voter turnout began before the primary
elections in March, these voters have had ample time to learn about the
presidential candidates and their stances on important issues, giving
those voters a stronger knowledge of the candidates

Scott said she believes the Internet plays a large role in the increased awareness of young voters.

“Many people are getting their information online,” she said. “They can see debates and interviews, and research the validity of candidates’ statements.”

The issues of concern to student voters at UAHS range from foreign policy and energy to the economy. Both Ping and Higbee cited foreign policy and the economy as critical issues in deciding their vote. It is no surprise that the economy is a major issue, as the increase in gas prices directly affects many high school students’ wallets.

Senior Cooper Dennis said energy was one of the main issues that led
him towards the Republican side of the spectrum.

“I like that Palin is pro-drilling in Alaska,” Dennis said. “I’m in favor
of that strategy because I think our economy really needs that.”

Higbee, who plans to vote Democrat, also said energy policy is important to her. However, she took the opposite stance, citing it as one of the reasons she leans toward Obama.

“I think that we should be developing alternative energy sources because this would help our economy and create more jobs,” she said.

Like Higbee, the majority of UAHS students registered to vote in the upcoming election plan to vote for Obama and appear to be more aligned
with his ideology.

In a voluntary survey of seniors eligible to vote, 93 percent said they
were registered. Of these, 46 percent said they planned to vote for Barack Obama while only 30 percent said they planned to vote for John McCain, and 24 percent said they were unsure or undecided.

Scott said she thinks younger voters generally align with Obama as opposed to McCain for several reasons.

“Surface reasons such as age difference and appearance play a role,” Scott said. “Also, some young voters are reading deeper and looking at the issues. They seem to line up more with Obama’s Iraq stance and tax policies.”

Getting Involved

Although voting is the easiest way for a citizen to get involved in
an election, a number of students decided simply casting a ballot was
not enough. Whether or not they are voting, students have volunteered for
campaigns, started both Republican and Democratic clubs at school
and passed out stickers supporting candidates.

Senior Liana Harutyunyan has pursued a number of ways to not only get herself more involved in the election, but also to encourage more seniors
throughout the school to get involved as well.

“This [election] will impact our lives,” Harutyunyan said. “Some people don’t realize that because they don’t have enough information.”

Harutyunyan decided to get involved in the Ohio Campaign for Change in support of Barack Obama. Through the campaign, she and fellow senior Ali Thieman started an organization within the school called Students for Obama. This student organization works with a national organization’s campaign to help recruit more volunteers and sway voters to Obama’s side.

“We are a group of 50-plus students who get materials from the Ohio Campaign for Change. They are using high school students to get a specific
base by making phone calls asking people to identify with Obama,” Harutyunyan said.

As part of the club, she organized a benefit concert called “Barack Rocks,” where local bands played at Fancyburg Park on Tuesday, Oct. 21. The concert also had a presentation about Obama to convince attendees to vote for him.

In addition to starting a club at the high school to increase support for Obama, Harutyunyan had a political scientist come to the school and educate seniors on the election for part of her senior thesis. Harutyunyan said her main goal when getting involved in the election was to organize the students at the high school.

“The campaign is using high school students in order to mobilize a specific base [of youth voters],” Harutyunyan said.

On the Republican side, senior Van Edmonds, who classified himself as an independent with conservative tendencies, revived the UAHS Republican Club, now called the G.O.P. Club. Edmonds said he felt it was important for all political ideologies to be represented.

“Democratic students meet, and I thought it only fair for Republican or conservative students to meet as well,” Edmonds said.

Edmonds also said he feels it is important for students to be politically active in this election.

“[This is] a historic election in our nation’s history,” Edmonds said. “Everyone should get involved.”

By creating the G.O.P. Club, Edmonds provided conservative students with a place to discuss their views with other students who also fall on the right side of the political spectrum.

“I wanted a place where politically active and [ideologically] similar students could meet and share ideas,” Edmonds said.

Inevitably, whether Republican, Democrat or Independent, eligible students will brace themselves for the cold weather and long lines on Nov. 4 to cast their ballots and make a difference, affecting the lives of themselves and others.

Upper Arlington Weather Forecast, OH