On November 4, in an election that may well turn out to be the most important of our generation, voters across the country will choose the next president. While we understand that recent polls may have made the result seem inevitable, it is still our responsibility to make our voices heard.
Consider the issues at stake. Even if one were to contend—as some have—that national issues have little impact on campus, few will deny that our economy is in crisis. The effects of a plummeting GDP are certain to hurt the University, just as a dearth of jobs will hinder us after we graduate. This is not the time to pretend that our choice of government is negligible.
It is also the first election in which so many voters—especially young voters—have a say in our nation’s course. Millions of American citizens are newly registered to vote. When asking yourself which candidate you prefer, remember that their positions point not just to different plans but to different visions. Base your decision on foresight as much as knowledge, and be sure to keep tabs on the new President’s performance. Fight for your interests both before and after the election.
Though a vote on Tuesday is important, a commitment to change must extend beyond the election. Students who vote absentee often lament how few local politicians they recognize on their ballots. For our votes to have the most impact, we should pay as much attention to everyone who would represent us.
In the face of threats both at home and abroad, steeped in a recession and mired in two wars, our democracy asks that we choose effective leaders. By taking time out to vote, we assert our rights at the same time as we determine our future. We urge all eligible students to cast their ballots on Tuesday.
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