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RSSFreedom of choice: As the presidential election nears, young people ponder their right to vote
DECATUR - They can't remember life before video games, stuffed-crust pizza or the "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers." Many of them are the same age as "America's Funniest Home Videos."
As this year's presidential election approaches, some local young men and women talked about embarking on their personal journeys to change the course of the country as first-time voters.
Angela Osborne, 21, a Millikin University senior studying political science, has worked with the university's Service Learning Scholars group to register voters on campus and in the community. She set up a table to catch people coming to watch Wednesday's televised presidential debate between presidential candidates Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.
Osborne estimated that the group has registered more than 300 voters, along with the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and independent registrars on campus.
"They're really excited about the election," she said of the first-time voters signing up.
Some are energized by the issues, and others are enthused by the simple fact that they get to vote, Osborne said.
"I think it's great, personally, that our generation is kind of getting active in voting," Osborne said. "I think it's awesome."
Dan Garvin, 18, a freshman from New Lenox, attended Millikin's debate watch to fulfill a requirement for his class on politics. He registered a month ago because he figured voting would be part of the class.
"I'm for McCain," Garvin said. "I'm Republican. I'm not sure why yet, but my dad owns his own business, so that has a part in it."
Garvin said he is still figuring out why McCain appeals to him. At the debate watch, Garvin said he hoped to learn more about both candidates' viewpoints and why they differ.
Chattman Olson, 18, a Millikin freshman from South Carolina, registered at the last minute Wednesday night after receiving a call from his dad.
"It was on my mind, but I'm a little caught up in school right now," he said.
Many of Olson's friends will be missing out on the chance to vote in next month's election, as they missed the deadline, he said.
"Most of them don't really care, I guess, or just aren't really thinking they're ready to vote," he said.
Olson believes his values and beliefs are most closely aligned with McCain's. He said students sharing his opinions of the candidates seem to be in the minority on the university campus.
"I've met a couple, but I guess they don't speak out as much as I would like them to or as I would," he said.
Area high schools have also taken part in getting young voters registered.
Jessie Butts and Brett Jackson, both 18, have been serving as student registrars at Eisenhower High School. Along with the Millikin groups, they've worked to get their classmates who will be 18 by Election Day registered.
"I feel like it's my job, you know, turning 18," Butts said of her civic involvement.
Butts said the presidential election has energized her classmates and created some buzz on campus among those who will be voting for the first time. She registered last year in her government class and has worked to spread the word on campus about the registration process.
"I feel that you can't really complain or be upset with government unless you do something to change it," she said.
"I think it's making a difference, just helping people get registered," Jackson said. "It's easier for some people to come to me instead of having to go downtown."
Now, Jackson and Butts said their efforts will focus on reminding those who have registered about when and how to get out and vote.
"I think it's important because young people, we all make a difference," Jackson said.
Denna Williams, a Meridian High School physical education teacher, has been registering eligible students at her school.
"My dad was big in politics when I was a little kid," she said, recalling that she has been working on elections and registering voters for years.
"They couldn't believe how simple it was," she said.
Williams said that through the process, she had students' parents who never before had registered come to her.
Williams said she thinks it is important for young people to get involved in the voting process early, "so they grow up and continue to be productive citizens in their later years and not get apathetic."
"They're just interested in this election," Williams said. "I don't know if it's because Obama is younger or if it's (Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah) Palin. I don't know why they're interested, exactly."
As of the voter registration cutoff Wednesday, nine Meridian students had registered.
"I registered on my 18th birthday," Williams said. "That was like the thing I had to do."
Heather Stuart, 18, went to Williams to get registered.
"I can make a difference," she said. "I now can do that."
Stuart said education and current economic woes are important issues to her.
"Right now, we're trying to sell our house, and it's really hard because of that and everything," she said.
She said her family has been pretty strongly Republican, but she's not sure whether she'll buck that trend when she goes to the polls on Election Day.
"I'm like in the middle," she said. "I don't really have any favorites. I want what's best."
Stuart and friend Melissa Powell, 18, had planned to register to vote together.
"I feel like now that I'm old enough to, I should, just to be responsible," she said.
She's taking her decision seriously and trying to arm herself with the information she will use to decide on a candidate.
"I have a big idea, but I still don't want to full-on commit to one or the other yet."
Powell said trying to keep aware of all the issues has been somewhat overwhelming to her as a first-time voter.
"It seems like the country really needs a boost," she said. "It's a lot of factors that go into deciding which candidate's best."
agetsinger@herald-review.com|421-6968
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