Once an American citizen turns 18, they gain the right to vote in elections. However, just because one has the right to vote does not mean they will exercise that right. Others are passionate about voting and believe that if the opportunity is available it should be taken advantage of.
Lauren Wallenfels
Howard Long at Fresh Thyme Market.
Howard Long is an East Lansing resident and an auditor in personal relations and healthcare. Long believes the attitude toward voting is always changing in our country. He finds that people tend to be indecisive about whether they will vote and who they are going to vote for.
“I think voting changes by the minute for everybody,” Long said. “I find as I talk to people that sometimes they know who they want to vote for and by tomorrow they change their minds. So I think that voting is really up in the air until a lot of these issues get settled.”
Although Long believes that voting is important, he does not think it is for everyone.
“I think you have to establish, first, your understanding of what this country is and what you’d like to have it become,” Long said. “If you vote for the people who support that, you can’t be wrong, even if you don’t win. But, if you don’t think about what’s going on and you don’t realize the possibilities and who is standing for what, then you probably shouldn’t bother to vote.”
Long feels positive about a newer generation becoming involved in politics and encourages it.
“Everybody was a young person once, and that passes too quickly. I think that the better we recognize that, the better we will be,” Long said.
Nutritional sciences freshman Elise Behnke is on the same page as Long.
Lauren Wallenfels
Elise Behnke at Fresh Thyme Market.
“It’s to an advantage if they know why they’re voting and what they are voting for. Otherwise, I don’t think it means as much to vote,” Behnke said.
Behnke would, however, encourage people to become educated and exercise their right to vote.
“It’s your opportunity to actually make a change,” Behnke said. “It is something that you can do to take action and something that will potentially work. You could see your impact being made.”
Advertising creative freshman Mackenzie Bacarella is working on registering to vote but because she is part of a military family her residency is all over the place, making the process more difficult. She believes that getting young people involved is especially important.
Lauren Wallenfels
Mackenzie Bacarella at the Communications Arts and Sciences Building.
“I think that learning about voting and what happens, like the Electoral College, and what your vote really means is important,” Bacarella said. “School teaches you some things, but it doesn’t teach you real-life values. There is also the issue of having outside influences, so as you’re younger you’re more likely to take on the ideas of your parents or people that are surrounding you. When you get older you get to formulate your own opinions.”
To encourage others to vote, Bacarella said she feels everyone needs to be informed on all sides of issues.
“I think definitely getting the word out there on multiple viewpoints on different issues is important,” Bacarella said. “Not just it’s either right or left, but showing more of the independent side. Just having open discussions that don’t have to be biased by a certain side or put a label on it. Just being like this is my idea. It’s a more open opportunity to put your views out there and see what it works with.”
Bacarella would encourage people, especially the new generation that has the ability to vote, to go out and get registered and be an active participant.
“It’s important to be involved in your society because it shapes you as an individual as well as your community,” Bacarella said.