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By L. Albert & W. Zheng
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Jun. 1, 2004 |
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Youth exercise political voice before reaching voting age
With sweat trickling down her face, a young girl marches door-to-door under the scorching sun, pleading for donations for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.
The girl is 12-year-old Ilana Wexler, whose door-to-door campaigning has paid off. Her website, Kids For Kerry (www.kidsforkerry.org), has impacted the public enough for her to meet Kerry in person.
Young people like Wexler across the nation are taking a political stand to support presidential candidates.
Programs such as Young Democrats of America, California Young Republicans and smaller groups such as Wexlers Kids for Kerry are getting youth actively involved in the upcoming presidential race.
The 2000 (presidential election) was the beginning of an awakening, said J.C. Sanders, a recent college graduate and intern for the Kerry financial office. Youth are being involved more than in the last election.
Sanders attributed the involvement of youth partly to 2000 presidential candidate Ralph Nader, who attracted the younger generation with his policies. He added that Democratic candidate Howard Dean, who went to colleges to campaign last year, also attracted young supporters.
Youth block under-represented
Despite the emergence of youth-oriented political programs, voter statistics show that the youngest voters are still reluctant to go to the polls.
The 18-24 voting block casts the least votes of all, including those organized by sex, race, income and other categories, according to Julia Jenkins, a graduate student in political science at San Francisco State University and a volunteer for MTVs Choose or Lose organization, which is designed to encourage youth to exercise their voting rights.
We need to teach people to participate in our government, Jenkins said, adding that the 18-24 voting block doesnt vote, so the candidates dont care about us.
Sanders agreed, calling 18-20-year olds one of the most misrepresented voting groups. Politicians dont take the youth seriously, he said. This disregard has serious consequences, as youth often miss a chance to weigh in on issues that influence them. We can influence laws about drinking and military service, he added.
| "I want people in office who know what they're doing, not people who have little-to-no moral convictions." |
| Chance Amis, 16-year-old activist |
Minority works to make a difference
Although many young people do not vote, some find ways to get involved in politics directly.
The best way to have an impact on the presidential election is to volunteer, Sanders said. He recommended youth to join local campaigns or sign up as volunteers on the presidential candidates websites.
Neil Sawhney, a senior at Head-Royce High School in Oakland, decided to work in Kerrys San Francisco finance office for his senior project.
For Further Information
Kids for Kerry
Twelve-year-old Ilana Wexlers
website created to rally support for Kerry from all age groups
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
kidsforkerry.org |
MTVs Choose or Lose
A progam created by MTV to encourage youth to become interested in national politics
www.mtv.com/chooseorloose |
Young Democrats of America
A group open to those under the age of 36 and affiliated with
the Democratic Party
1-877-639-8585
www.yda.org |
SF Young Democrats of America
City branch gives youth a chance to participate in local politics
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
sfyoungdems.org |
Young Republicans of America
Provides conservative youth the opportunity to unite and get involved in various causes
1-800-616-2516
www.declareyourself.com |
Punk Voter
A group built by musicians and record labels to educate and register progressive voters
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.punkvoter.com |
San Francisco Department of Elections
The offcial website for local voting information
www.sfgov.org/site/election_index.asp
415-554-4375 |
Sawhney wanted to take a political path for his project. Online, he was able to find all the information needed on becoming politically involved, and soon he was helping Kerrys finance office raise money.
Sawhney encourages other youth to participate in politics.
Put your voice out instead of letting others decide things for you, Sawhney said.
Class of 02 alumna and member of the Berkeley College Republicans Alisa Farenzena agreed that youth should take a bigger role in politics.
Its our future, Farenzena said. We have to live with whatever happens. Although Farenzena did not campaign during her high school years because of her heavy work load at Lowell, she does now.
Farenzena first campaigned for mayor Gavin Newsom in his run for supervisor during the August 2002 election and later for his mayoral campaign.
Farenzena said she hopes to campaign for George W. Bushs reelection.
Political activism across nation
16-year-old Chance Amis, president of the Arkansas sector of Young Politicians of America and the Arkansas chapter of the Young Democrats of America, campaigned for local and state politicians, as well as for former presidential candidate Wesley Clark.
Young people shape the future by what they do and how they think, Amis said.
While campaigning for Clark, Amis phone-banked, went door to door, handed out flyers and bumper stickers, put up signs and typed up letters for public distribution.
I told people who Clark is and what he plans to do, Amis said, adding that he believes it is his duty to help put the best candidate in office.
I campaign for people that I think are good and responsible, he said. I want people in office who know what theyre doing, not people who have little-to-no moral convictions.
Sophomore Mika Moore agreed that finding a candidate with compatible moral values is important. She would campaign for a candidate that she really believed in.
A plea for more involvement
Christian Shelton, the president and CEO of Young Politicians of America, stressed the importance of getting involved in politics at a young age.
Just be aware and prepare yourself to be a good citizen, Shelton said. Young people dont vote, therefore making themselves irrelevant. No relevance means no power.
Youth political involvement is a necessity in any form, according to Sanders.
We can be a real force to be reckoned with, he added. |
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Links
The Lowell
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