The Power of One Voice

Veronica Marquez, Staff Writer
February 29, 2012
Filed under News

Two hundred and sixteen million people can vote in the U.S., but only about 126 million actually vote (58%), according to Wiki Answers.

“I want to vote, because I’ve learned the importance of it in my government class,” senior Jennifer Nolazco said. “Most people don’t realize how important it is.”

Nolazco feels like her vote matters, and that she can make a difference in the 2012 campaign, therefore Nolazco keeps up with the candidates to learn their differences.

“We’re watching the news and keeping up with the candidates for a reason—and that is to see who the ideal one would be depending on our beliefs and opinions,” Nolazco said.

Twenty-two to 24 million of 18-24 year olds voted in the past election, mostly because of Obama’s attraction to youth, according to The Tartan.

“I see voting as a responsibility and some small measure of influence on the government,” senior Ebony Milbury said.

But for others, voting is more than just making a difference in who’s going to run our country.

“I want to vote as a rite of passage,” senior Simmi Kaur said. “It’s me saying I’m an adult.”

This is where becoming eighteen is important to teenagers such as Kaur. It’s part of a transition from childhood to adulthood.

“I want to vote to voice my opinion and elect someone whose beliefs match up with my own,” senior Raymond Younan said.

But does one vote out of the 126 million people really even count?

“Not really, one person doesn’t make a difference,” Kaur said.

Because California is such a big state and it has 55 electoral votes, it’s usually passed over as a flyover state and none of California’s concerns are looked at.

“My vote wouldn’t count in California due to the electoral voting system, it is an all or nothing in California,” senior Kayla Judd said. “My vote would count more in a swing state.”

So because of the amount of people in California, it’s easy for one vote to get lost in the election process. The smaller the population, the more one vote counts.

“I think my vote would count, but not as significantly as other political participation,” Milbury said. “With low voter turnouts, every vote could make a difference.”

Students who are interested in this year’s presidential campaign have different opinions on the candidates.

“I would vote for Ron Paul,” senior Gabriel Jacobs said. “He seems like a nice guy and doesn’t appear to have any hidden agendas.”

Ron Paul is known for having a lot of hidden skeletons in his closet, but this may not stop everybody from liking him.

“I like Ron Paul, because he calls other candidates out a lot,” Kaur said. “Even though, I’d never vote for him.”

It’s a dog-eat-dog kind of atmosphere in this year’s election. But not everything about politics is taken so seriously for some people.

“If Rick Santorum wins, I’m moving to Australia,” senior Raymond Younan said.

This year’s campaign is something people can be fully captivated and absorbed in. Or not.

“I think it’ll be a wasted four years, then maybe we’ll get good candidates,” Jacobs said.

Over the years, our presidential candidates and views as a country have definitely changed.

“Politics in recent years has been discouraging,” senior Jason Byers said. “Nobody wants to make things work. Nothing really gets done.”

Some, think things may never change.

“I think this 2012 campaign is just the same old song and dance,” senior Ralph Price said.

Teenagers will either stumble upon politics now, or in another four years. Either way, it’s not something that will or can ever be ignored.

“Overall, I think the 2012 campaign is pretty exciting to watch. It’s not an everyday thing—the last time I saw it, I was 13,” Nolazco said. “I’ve realized that as you grow up, your entire perspective in politics change.”