Hey everyone! This Tuesday my friends and I will take a break from our college applications to follow the 2012 Election. Republican Mitt Romney is challenging the current President Barack Obama, and the polls show it will be a very close election to determine who will be our next President. Both parties have differing opinions on alot of policies, so there could be some changes depending on who wins on Tuesday.
In addition to electing the President and other national positions like the representatives of Congress, voters will be deciding on many state and local propositions as well. In the US funding for the public schools and universities is provided by each state, and several of the 2012 propositions for California will affect the amount of money our state will be able to give to its schools. Because of a tight state budget California has had to cut the funding for its public schools over the last few years, which raises the tuition students have to pay to attend the public universities. So many students are particularly interested in the election results this year.
To be able to vote in an election is the US, you must be 18 years of age and be registered to vote in the County that you are currently living in. It’s important to get the word out to high school seniors that when they turn 18 they need to register to vote and then remember to reregister if they move for college or a job to a different county. There are several websites, like Rockthevote.com and dosomething.org , that are doing a great job in encouraging young voters to register, get involved, and vote! Most universities and many high schools have Young Republican or Young Democrat clubs that students have put together who are excited about politics.
Credit for President Obama’s victory in 2008 is often given partly to the 18-29 year old demographic, which provided then-Senator Obama with 66% support over the Republican candidate. It will be exciting to see whether that will be the case in 2012 or if things have changed.
I am still 17 so won’t be able to vote on Tuesday, but many of my friends who have turned 18 will be going to the polls for the first time! We will all be following the election results Tuesday night.
Check out these videos by young American celebrities encouraging young people to go out and vote!
Who would you vote for in the election? Would you exercise your right to vote? Let me know in the comments!
xoxo
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