By: Reah Johnson
The first presidential election in which I voted was in 1988, Bush vs. Dukakis. My fifth grade class had decided to hold their own election, and although the political opinions of a ten year old are, shall we say, limited, we did not hesitate in voicing our true beliefs. When it concerned our country, our future, and our children's children, there was only one candidate for the job. The final tally: Bush 4, Dukakis 3, and Pee Wee Herman 17.
I recount this story because not only is it symptomatic of the political ignorance currently facing many young Americans, but in contrast to a recent survey done by the Review, it makes the University of Michigan student body appear remarkably astute.
Three hundred University of Michigan students were surveyed about the upcoming 1996 presidential election, their involvement, and their opinions of the candidates. Eighty five percent of those questioned were registered voters and eighty two percent had intentions of exercising their voice come November. These results are impressive when considering that in the last Presidential Election the average voter participation of young people (this includes ages 18 to 24) was a mere 20%. Much of this progress on behalf of political involvement at the University can be attributed to the student organization Voice Your Vote. Welcome Week marked the beginning of their crusade to register as many people possible. As of last Friday, when the final tally was made, Voice Your Vote had successfully completed the registration of over 6,400 people, 90% of which had been registered on campus. This is a truly commendable accomplishment in the pursuit of political activism.
So, how do Michigan students stand in their political beliefs? When asked what political party they consider themselves to belong to, 40% of students responded Democrat, 39% Independent, and 21% Republican. With such a large Democratic voice represented, it might not be surprising that 46% of the surveyed students approved of the way President Clinton handled his first term in office, while only 27% disapproved. And, yes, the Michigan student presidential vote favored Clinton over Dole by 36%. Of the remaining votes, 28% were undecided and an optimistic 1% was for Perot.
Now although University of Michigan students may be gaining distance on the path of political participation, we still have a ways to go. A remaining 18% of those surveyed had no intentions of voting. Young adults cannot expect their interests to be addressed if they fail to vote. Ryan Friedrichs of Voice Your Vote points out that on average 70% of elderly people vote, as compared to the previously mentioned 20% average of young people. When this generation discrepancy in voter participation is so large, young adults should neither be surprised nor dissatisfied that todays main political issues concern Social Security and Medicare. The young voice of America must first be cast at the poles before it can be heard.
We can expect that this coming Election Day a large majority of Michigan students will do their political duty and vote. Those who do not plan on voting could possibly learn something from the political activism going on around them. Hail to the Michigan voters and their voice! For we must participate, not vegetate. The immune and carefree days of elementary school have been long gone, and it is now time to take on the mature responsibility of becoming politically involved.