With the persistent discussion of the importance of the youth vote in this year’s presidential race, the spotlight is often focused on the voting trends of the college-aged population. This time, however, the Daily chose to examine the opinions of America’s youth milling around the Gantcher polling station who are too young to vote. With the rise of YouTube.com coverage showcasing children’s engagement in the election (i.e. the “You Can Vote However You Like” video, featuring schoolchildren doing their own politically-charged rendition of T.I.’s “Whatever You Like”), it appears that many children may be more informed and involved than their age indicates.
“It was cool to see my parents vote in an election, because I’ve never seen anyone vote before. [My siblings and I] weren’t bored at all because it didn’t take long — we’re all excited for when we get to vote. I would have rather voted for Obama because I want a change in our system, but I don’t mind that my parents didn’t vote for him.”
— An especially vocal child from a family of seven
“If I could’ve voted, I would have voted for Obama because he is a Democrat. I’m not registering here because I’m not from the United States; I’m from Denmark. I liked coming into the polling station because it was very interesting to see how it’s all done here, it was my first time seeing people voting in real life. Before, I had only ever seen it on television. There was no line, so it took like two minutes.”
— Anis
“I would’ve voted for Obama for President in this election because he’s not like an old dude, and he’s got some interesting ideas and a lot to say he seems more intelligent than McCain. I’m excited for when I get to vote.”
— Eli
“This wasn’t my first time [being present for] voting, I think I came back in September, when we went for the local elections. It was fun to come [to the polling station] because I got to fill in the bubbles! If I could’ve voted, I would have voted for Barack Obama because we’re not very rich, and I think he would be a good President for us.”
— Sanjay
It kills me to keep hearing how a black man has won... hes not just a black man.. he is bi-racial... this was not about color/race for me... its about the issues at hand & beyond... hes gonna find out real quick that hes gonna have to back peddle on most of all the issues hes promised you... Clinton did the same thing...It wouldn't bother me so much if there were more politic-educated people who voted... but most were not, and I am sure most would agree with that...as far as Georgia... we are predominantly a Republic state... Democrats left us out to dry years ago with Clinton in office & Zell Miller trying to do what was right at the time... he got no support from his party... and he was a good Democrat & I voted for him...Virginia I cant say much about because I don't know what goes on up there.. but Florida is a joke... and always will be because of the "chad" thing...and about the military in general... in April of this year.. he voted a resounding NO to increase benefits for disabled U.S. veterans and provide a fair benefit to World War II Filipino veterans for their service to the United States....also voted against a tax break for individuals who had to buy health insurance out of their own pocket... voted against to protect small businesses, family ranches and farms from the Death Tax... voted against to pay down the Federal debt and eliminate government waste by reducing spending 5%... voted against to create a point of order against bills that would raise gasoline prices... voted against to provide for a deficit-neutral reserve fund for Social Security reform....Voted against a bill to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to provide additional procedures for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence information and for other purposes.... Voted against to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reset the rate of tax under the alternative minimum tax at 24 percent....Voted against to save American taxpayers up to $24 billion in 10 years, by preventing the earned income tax credit, which is, according to the Congressional Research Service, the largest anti-poverty entitlement program of the Federal Government, from being claimed by temporary workers or illegal aliens given status by this Act until they adjust to legal permanent resident status.... in other words, illegal aliens can claim the tax credit...and don't get me started on the abortion issue...The list can go on & on... its true I do not like some of what the democratic & republican parties stand for...heck, there wasn't really a strong candidate to vote for this time around really... no one really stood out for me as an individual..but the people elected a man who did all this & more...BTW... all my information came straight from the US Congress Vote Database.... so to speak, straight from the horses mouth...You can not convince me that this election, of the 2 men who ran... that these are the BEST that America has to offer?!I would rather have voted for Colin Powell...