Student apathy in light of youth vote

Voter apathy, especially among young voters, has been the focus of many campaigns in the past.

In the 2004 presidential election, less than half of the 18- to 29-year-old citizens in the U.S. voted, according to youngvoterstrategies.com.

“It’s a large issue. My biggest thing in politics is voter turnout,” industrial engineering junior Conner Johnston said. “In 2004, our age group had a 41 percent voter turnout. Some people think that’s good, but under 50 percent is unacceptable.”

Cal Poly students differ as to whether they believe apathy exists among students on campus.

“It’s not so much apathy but inaction,” said Erica Janoff, an industrial engineering senior and Cal Poly Democrats Club president. “I think the difference is that we’re young and the habit hasn’t been developed yet.”

However, Christina Chiappe, a social sciences senior and Cal Poly College Republican president, thinks students may just not like the candidates.

“Some people are disgruntled by what there is to offer,” she said. “It’s a combo of lack of information and understanding and being unhappy with the choices.”

Conversely, modern languages and literature sophomore Mollie McFarland believes students don’t really care because they have more important things to do.

“The truth is I think we’re in a bubble. College is the time to do your work and party. It’s just not common knowledge to really know about what’s going on all over the world,” she said.

However, as the chapter coordinator for Students for Barack Obama, McFarland thinks students could have an immense impact if they got involved.

“People don’t think it affects them, but it will someday, and in 25 years it’s going to suck,” she said. “You have to fight for this stuff now and I feel like college is the perfect time to do it.”

In fact, young voters do think this election will have an impact on the country. In a Time Magazine poll, 83 percent of voters ages 18 to 29 reported that they think the current election will have a great deal of impact.

And young people are becoming more involved.

The percentage of 18- to 29-year-olds paying attention to the presidential campaign this year was 74 percent, compared to 42 percent in 2004 and 13 percent in 2000, the poll said.

In San Luis Obispo, student votes were high during the Feb. 5 primary election. Polling locations that catered primarily to students reached nearly 40 percent voter turnout, according to the county Registrar’s office.

“I’m really happy about the turnout, but I have an optimistic view that if we all voted, we could really change the world,” said Johnston, who was a precinct coordinator for the election. “Every voice counts. It doesn’t take that much effort.”

Hans Poschman, a public policy graduate student and executive director of the Republican Party in San Luis Obispo, thinks students care more than people give them credit for.

“Students are the ones that are more able to go out and walk the communities and share what they believe in. They’re motivated and active,” he said.

And it’s not hard to find something to do.

“Get involved in something that you enjoy and make the impact on your community,” Janoff said. “Join something you’re passionate about. Small groups can really have their voices heard.”