Leos not rocking the vote

by Julie Kim
Staff Writer
Max Zänker
LV Life Editor
Jonathan Corral
Assistant Editor
photography by Adam Omernik

Only two out of 22 students voted on Super Tuesday, according to an informal survey conducted at the University of La Verne.

The numbers paralleled what was going on in the rest of the country.

Voting records for 18- to 25-year-olds have continued to dramatically decrease for 25 years, according to Youth Vote Coalition – the nation’s largest organization aimed at increasing civic participation.

“I don’t feel that I should vote when I’m not educated enough,” said Gerlaine Kiamco, 21, an anthropology major. “I am too lazy to educate myself.”

Other ULV students offered their own justifications for not voting.

Lauren Friestad, 18, a communications major, did not make it to the polls because she was in class and her “absentee ballot was not available.”

“I voted but I used the absentee ballot,” said Wendy Schwartz, 20, a social science major. “I think a lot of people do not vote because of other things like school and work.”

Other reasons given by students for not voting in the California primary were hectic work schedules, a lack of knowledge, forgetfulness and not being registered.

According to Youth Vote, “roughly 33 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds turned out to vote” in the 2000 presidential race.

But in the same election, approximately 70 percent of those over 25 voted, according to Mark Hugo Lopez, research director for the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement – an organization that tracks the civic and political participation of young Americans.

Ben Mulchin put it into perspective: “It is the most basic level of participation in our country,” said the 18-year-old history major. “If you do not vote, you do not have the right to complain.”

“I think more people should care about what is going on,” said Daniel Reagan, 18, one of the two surveyors who voted.

However, all students interviewed on March 2 had many concerns beyond their own inconveniences, the top two being the Iraq conflict and school issues.

“I am mostly concerned about the war,” Kiamco said. “I am against it because I know a lot of people in the military and I see many going to Iraq and not coming back.”

Cutbacks on programs such as art courses worried Thomas Schotke, 26, a psychology major.

Participation in people under 25 has declined since 1972 when 18- to 21-year-olds were first allowed to vote, according to Lopez.

ULV students thought candidates should do a better job to attract attention.

“Political topics should be easier for everyone to access and understand,” Kiamco said. “Then I would be more secure in my decisions and confident enough to vote.”

A few believed that voting should be made easier: “My polling place is too far,” said Angela Black, 21, a behavioral science major. “I think it would be nice if we could have polling places at schools.”

‘I did not vote because of the time issue. I really care about what is going on, but I really don’t know the details involved in all the issues.’ – Gwen Franco, religion and philosophy	‘Yes I voted and I think more people should care about what is going on.’ – Daniel Reagan, undeclared
‘I think it is important to vote because it is part of who you want in charge of things and who you want to represent yourself.’ – Pamela Beas, business	‘No, I did not vote because I’m not even registered and a lot of students don’t vote because they do not have enough time.’ – Tammy Etheridge, movement and sport science
‘I used the absentee ballot. A lot of people don’t vote because of other things like school and work. I think a lot of people are not informed.’ – Wendy Schwartz, social science	‘No, I did not vote, I think I do not know enough about the issues.’ – Eje Ash, movement and sports science
‘I forgot to vote. But I would have voted because election day is important and I want to support Kerry.’ – Phanny Lun, Japanese and international business	‘It is important to vote because every vote counts. I am mostly concerned about community college prices and gay marriages, which should not be outlawed.’ – Erik Faiivae, economics