Wednesday, October 16, 1996
ELECTION:
Significance of college students’ political activism often
overlookedBy Anne Mai
Daily Bruin Contributor
As the countdown to Nov. 5th continues, voter mobilization
groups are working hard to spark Generation X’s interest in the
last presidential election of the century.
The reasons are apparent. Eighteen- to 24-year-olds comprise 13
percent of the electorate. And of this group, 42 percent are
registered with only 20 percent actually voting.
"The (youth) vote is a sleeping giant," said John Du,
undergraduate student body president. "(But) it can be crucial when
it determines who gets into office."
The power of the youth vote can be felt in local elections
according to Star Wilbraham, the United States Student Association
executive director. "The youth vote is basically the swing vote …
in local elections."
However, the impact of the youth vote is less pronounced on a
national level. In spite of its potential impact, the power of the
youth vote has lain dormant due to a lack of interest on
politicians’ behalf and low voter turnout.
"Young people are sort of forgotten by our politicians.
Politicians speak in a way that is not appealing to young voters,"
said Cari Rudd, Rock the Vote communications director.
Paul Frymer, a political science professor at UCLA agrees. While
summarizing the attitude of politicians he said, "the young people
aren’t that big of a vote anyway, so why appeal to them?"
When politicians tried to reach voters in the past, their
attempts generally backfired, according to Frymer.
In 1992, while campaigning for the presidential election,
Clinton went to MTV to try to appeal to younger voters. During the
interview he admitted to having tried to smoke marijuana, a gaffe
Dole later used against him in television advertisements.
"I don’t think you’ll be hearing a lot anymore about Clinton’s
boxers," Frymer said referring to another statement Clinton had
made in the interview.
Other examples of backfiring strategies meant to reach young
voters include Eugene McCarthy’s mobilization of the anti-Vietnam
War vote in 1968 and George McGovern’s countercultural revolution
in 1972.
In 1968, Eugene McCarthy tried to mobilize the anti-Vietnam War
vote, mainly comprised of young people who were being drafted into
the war. However, his strategy was unsuccessful since this group
was not able to vote until 1972 when 18-year-olds were given the
right to vote.
George McGovern tried the same thing in 1972 by riding along the
counterculture wave. However, his strategy backfired when older
voters turned against him.
In addition to candidates’ indifference, the youth votes power
is also diminished by low voter turnout as a consequence of
complications in the voting process, lack of information and a lack
of partisan loyalty.
The biggest problem facing young voters is the actual process
itself, according to Raymond Wolfinger, political science professor
at UC Berkeley. In spite of improvements in the system like the
Motor Voter Bill, allowing for people to register to vote when they
get their drivers license, the process is still cumbersome,
especially for young people who move a lot, according to
Wolfinger.
Young voters are also more likely to be ignorant of the ways in
which political issues shape their lives.
"Young people need to know that the air we breathe, the water we
drink, whether or not we can walk down the street safely, whether
or not we can afford to go to college, or whether or not we can
find a job after college is affected by the leaders we choose,"
Rudd said.
"If you, your parents, anyone alive pays taxes, it affects you,"
said Adam Ross, the Republican challenger for the 42nd District
State Assembly seat. The problem, according to Ross, is exacerbated
by the decisions made by voters in the past.
"We have been inheriting what these people voted for. The
problem is that these people have looked for short term solutions
… If young people want to have their future secured, they have to
work as hard as the others," Ross said.
Chief among the issues which will affect young voters is the
economy.
Young voters should be worried about downsizing, said Frymer.
"It’s what is facing all Americans. Right now, no one’s finding
jobs."
Education is another issue that dramatically affects young
people.
"We need to focus our efforts on candidates who are
pro-education … who prioritize education as a way to deal with
the incessant problems of crime, poverty and unemployment," Du
said.
Another factor affecting the youth vote is a lack of information
on the candidates and the issues.
"There is a clear connection between voting and people’s belief
that they have good, unbiased, information on which to base their
decisions," said League of Women Voters president Becky Cain in a
released statement.
Lastly, the lack of partisan loyalties does not make young
voters a significant block vote, according to Frymer.
However, Wilbraham sees this as a positive asset. "(They are) a
group of folks who are actually concerned about issues rather that
the politician’s party … (Politicians) have to be strong to get
that vote."
Surprisingly, the stereotypical Generation X apathy does not
seem to be a significant reason for low voter turnout according to
voter mobilization officials.
"Apathy is a myth. It is a complete myth made by the power
structure … to further disempower students," Du said.
"The youth provide the motivation and energy for the campaign,"
said Priscilla Johnson, youth coordinator for the California
Republican Party in her address to Bruin Republicans.
"I am begging (and) imploring-that you go out and make a
difference."