The 2008 presidential election will be a pivotal election in American history. The optimism of the fall of the Berlin Wall was rattled as we watched two planes strike at the heart of America on Sept. 11. Partisan gridlock impeded solutions for some of the biggest problems facing us: healthcare's impending bankruptcy, reforming our deeply flawed Social Security and immigration systems and finding consensus about the management of the war on terror. The budget debt has tripled under the Bush administration while the dollar has plunged.
These issues impact us, the youth. We are past the euphoria of the 1990's economic boom and facing a potential recession. Many of us already anticipate decades of student loan repayment.
As the sub-prime mortgage crisis unfolds and the Fed cuts interest rates for damage control, we fear the prospects of buying our first home. Globalization has provided competitors in the rise of China and India as economic powers so we worry about the jobs we won't be able to get when we graduate. We wonder about the safety and security for our children and the prospects that their lives will be better than our lives. We wonder how the social security system that we pay into now will survive the baby boomer generation and care for us in our old age. These issues weigh on us now.
Young voters seem to understand. January's primaries and caucuses scored record turnout in general - and record turnout among young people in particular.
The research from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) proves it: In 2008, the number of 18- to 29-year-olds that caucused in Iowa more than tripled from 14,940 in 2000 to 65,230 in 2008.
In the New Hampshire primary, young voter turnout rose from 43,924 in 2000 to 84,232 in 2008. Time Magazine has called 2008 "the year of the youth vote." By all means, this is a staggering improvement in youth turnout. It is a victory not for a single candidate but for American democracy as a whole.
Today, Feb. 5, is Super Tuesday. Citizens in twenty-four states will declare their preference for a candidate to lead their party in November's general election.
Competition in both parties is fierce and the young vote likely will make the critical difference in districts across the country. The stereotyped apathy of young voters will be washed out by the tidal wave of enthusiasm and participation. Don't miss your chance to be a part of it.
So whether you're voting for the competence of Gov. Romney, the experience of Sen. Clinton, the heroism of Sen. McCain, the values of Gov. Huckabee, the philosophy of Rep. Paul or the hope of Sen. Obama - the key thing is to make sure that you get out and cast an informed vote.
Polls in Medford and Somerville will be open all day. Medford residents vote in the Gantcher Center. Residents of 12 Dearborn, 123 Packard Ave. (ATO), Zeta Psi, Anthony House, Broomfield House, Bush, Capen House, Haskell, Hillside House, Hodgdon, Latin Way, Lewis, Metcalf, Newman House, Richardson, Sophia Gordon, South, Start House, Stratton and Tilton vote at the Methodist Church at 14 Chapel St.
Residents of Theta Chi, Alpha Omicron Pi, Chandler House, Hall House, Milne House, Schmolz House and Wyeth House vote at the Senior Center at 167 Holland Street. For residents of Chi Omega, Sigma Omicron Epsilon, Delta Upsilon, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Curtis St., Bartol House, Davies House, Sawyer House, Sunset Rd., Wilson Hall and 9 Whitfield Rd., your polling place is the Community Center at Capen Court Elderly Housing on Capen Court.
If you are a first time voter, please remember to bring a photo ID and, if possible, proof of residence such as a bank statement or utility bill with you to the polls. If you have any questions about voting at Tufts, TuftsVotes.com is a great resource. Additionally, the phone number for Medford City Hall is (781) 396-5500 and for Somerville City Hall is (617) 625-6600.
For whatever reason, if you are turned away at the polls, know that you have the right to request a provisional ballot which will allow you to vote. If you use a provisional ballot, you will be informed of whether your vote was counted or disqualified (and the reasons why) after election day. Voting is your right and privilege.
This year is crucial. Senator Obama, quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, talks about "the fierce urgency of now." All of the candidates, in their own right, recognize the complexity of the issues at hand and the need to move forward on Day One.
For the most significant way to shape the November election, vote now. It is clear that this primary is too important to sit out.
Shana Hurley is a sophomore majoring in political science and international relations. She is the co-director of Tufts Votes and the secretary of the Tufts Democrats.
