Editorial: Youth must elect to vote

As we move into the month of October, the election season is in full swing. Attack ads are everywhere, sliding their way into commercial breaks, the side of your web browser and in between songs on Pandora radio. Former President Bill Clinton will come to UNH this Wednesday to campaign on behalf of President Obama, who will be debating with Mitt Romney for the first time on Wednesday night in Denver. 

Despite all this, youth voters are significantly less engaged in this election than in 2008, according to a recent Pew Research Center poll. Intention to vote among 18- 29-year-olds is down nine percent since 2008 at this point in the year, and only 18 percent say that they are following the campaign very closely. 

They are unfortunate statistics, but not irreversible with a month to go until the election. Still, the message is obvious: Students have an obligation to engage themselves in this election and vote on Nov. 6. 

There are countless issues at hand that will affect both students and youth voters in general. The federal deficit is at an all-time high. Vote for the candidate who you think will balance the budget and allow us to pay down our debt. 

While the American economy has improved since plummeting in 2009, there is still work to be done. Many students are still having a difficult time finding work in their field after graduation. Vote for the candidate who you think will help foster an economic situation that will create jobs for when you graduate. 

Health care is at a crossroads heading into this election. Research both Obama’s and Romney’s plans and figure out which one you support. 

Climate issues remain at the forefront of many young Americans’ minds. Global warming will obviously affect our generation more than any other voting age bracket. Vote for the candidate who has a solid plan to make America more energy independent and less reliant on fossil fuels. 

Students must educate themselves on these issues. There are plenty of resources online, in print and on television that you can use to inform yourself. It’s a matter of making the effort. 

At The New Hampshire, we have admonished lawmakers for making it harder for college students and young adults to vote in this state. A recent example is the controversy surrounding the new voter registration laws. But it is not entirely the fault of politicians that students fail to show up at the polls. We often silence ourselves through indifference. Let’s not make that mistake this November.