By Nick May ’13
THE ROUNDUP
Voters will hit the polls Nov. 6 to vote in one of the most polarized elections in modern history.
This means some of Brophy’s upper classmen will be able to vote for the first time.
“I’m very excited to vote in this election,” said Dylan Temple ’13, a senior voting for the first time this fall.
This campaign has been called one of the most negative and slandering in recent memory.
“I definitely don’t like the negativity in this election,” said Jack Nudo ’13.
According to the U.S Census Bureau, only about 47 percent of the 18 to 24 year olds voted in the 2008 elections.
“I think some people do and early 20s, college aged who do vote can make a huge difference because their population votes in such smaller percentages that the few that are engaged their voice tends to be louder,” said Ms. Kelly Guffey.
Low voter turnout in the 18 to 24 demographic has been commonplace in recent history, except for the 2008 general election, which had one one of the best turn outs ever.
Some people pin low turnout of 18 to 24 year old voters on the voter registration process.
“The easiest way to register to vote is through ServiceArizona.com, which is the website for our Department of Motor Vehicles, and if you scroll about half way down, there is an icon that says ‘register to vote,’” Ms. Guffey said.
The major issue surrounding this election is the economy.
“I think the biggest issue for this election has got to be the economy,” Nudo said.
For others, there are different issues that concern them more.
“Well, you know immigration especially since we live in a border state. I think it should be one of the top priorities for the candidates to focus on,” Temple said.
Ms. Guffey said that there are issues that can directly impact students lives.
“For young people, I think the price of going to college is huge. Student loan debts and student loan interest rates are not only important now because it can affect your ability to get a home or start a business later on in life,” Ms. Guffey said.
First time voters tend to be some of the most misinformed or uninformed voters, but Brophy tries to prepare every student to vote in the future.
“I think the Ignatian platform and the Jesuit way of educating students makes people very aware about their environment and what goes on around them,” Ms. Guffey said.
President Barack Obama overwhelming won the 18 to 24 year old demographic and is trying to get a similar turn out from that demographic this election.
“I like Obama. I liked him in the last election and still do,” Nudo said.
While Obama has lost a substantial amount of the 18 to 24 vote from the last election he still holds a sizeable lead over Romney in that demographic, according to The New York Times.
“At this point, I think Romney has my vote. I think we need someone who can help get us out of this bad economic situation. I think that guy is Romney,” Temple said.
