First time voters will be key

Part two of The Battle for America is available here: Organizers Fight misinformation, apathy

N.C. Central University freshman Bianca McGee, who plans to major in social work, stands outside James E. Shepard Memorial Library in a deep red shirt, her school’s name printed in large block letters across the front. McGee holds a clipboard and a stack of official looking forms. She is registering NCCU freshmen to vote.

“We’re trying to get mostly freshmen because they just turned eighteen. Some of them don’t want to take the time out,” said McGee.

She watches students approach the library doors and holds her clipboard up, hoping to catch their eyes. McGee said she hadn’t registered many voters this day.

Athletic training freshman Cherita Smith is also registering voters outside the library. Both women are excited about voting in their first presidential election.

“I’m excited for the simple fact that I know the history of how long it took women to get the right to vote,” said Smith.

For Smith and McGee a major issue is the possible cuts to Pell Grants for college students. They both said they couldn’t understand why some in the federal government want to make it harder for lower income students to attend college.

In 2008 voters age 18-29 accounted for 20% of the total presidential vote. Their participation was a key factor in electing President Barack Obama. Without the youth vote – as pollsters and major media call the group – Obama stands at a severe disadvantage to republican Mitt Romney in the upcoming presidential election.

The data below was compiled by The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement at Tufts University.

If youth voters turn out in numbers similar to 2008 they will directly impact the final election results, increasing the chance for an Obama victory.

Biology freshman Juan Ramirez said his Latino heritage determines, at least in part, how he interprets the rhetoric used by major presidential and congressional candidates.

“I think I know what candidate I want to vote for, but I’m still looking at what that candidate is doing,” said Morales.

“When it comes to voting, you make the best decision you can.”

Ramirez said that Obama’s June executive order to halt deportation of certain illegal immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children was a ploy to gain Latino votes. Ramirez said that he thinks the order is beneficial to Latinos, but he wonders why it wasn’t enacted earlier.

Sophomore Lynae Thomas, who plans to enter the nursing program, registered to vote for the first time at NCCU. Thomas is also concerned about immigration issues, though in a very different way than Morales.

 “With the population rising in certain areas where we don’t have room or resources, that affects us as well,” said Thomas.

Thomas said she is excited to vote for the first time, but has some anxiety about making the wrong choice. She has had conversations with her mother about how important voting is in America.

“I’m excited that I’m able to [vote], but I’m nervous because I’m afraid to make the wrong decision. I want to research it enough to make an educated decision,” said Thomas.

Psychology freshman Jexsy Mckenzie said unemployment is the biggest issue facing Americans today. Mckenzie’s father lost his job as a computer engineer. Her father was hired at another job after a short period of time, but it was still a struggle for her family.

“I have a say-so in what’s happening with this country. One vote can make a huge difference in who’s going to take the presidency,” said Mckenzie.

The eventual power and turnout of the youth vote will also depend on whether voters who were not previously eligible make an effort to register, and whether or not they are contacted by a voter registration organization.   

Outside James E. Shepard Memorial Library, McGee holds her clipboard tight against her deep red NCCU shirt. She flashes a smile and waits for the next unsuspecting, unregistered voter.

“Some people think voting doesn’t matter, but everyone should think it matters,” said McGee.

Part two of The Battle for America is available here: Organizers Fight misinformation, apathy