Turning 18 brings on many changes in a young person’s life. New opportunities arrive and the transfer from familiar childhood to uncharted adulthood begins to take place. Most young people would say their favorite aspect of becoming an adult is being able to go to college or move out of their parent’s house. There are even small thrills like being able to purchase lottery tickets. However, there is one major benefit that comes with adulthood: they now have the right to vote.
“I am so excited that I get the chance to participate in the next election,” senior Allyson Ferren said. “I feel so grown up.”
An estimated 23 million Americans under 30 years of age voted in the last presidential election, which was an increase from 3.4 million in 2004. The 2004 election was a strong one for youth voter turnout which was a reverse in the long history of the older generations taking up most of the voting population.
While it is true that young people may not have had much experience when it comes to being involved in the political world, many are trying to make an effort to become knowledgable about the upcoming politicians.
“I have been keeping up with current politics and I hope that other young voters are doing the same,” senior Montana Wallace said. “We are the new generation and we have the opportunity to be heard with our votes.”
In the state of Arkansas, one must meet certain requirements besides being of age to have the privilege of the poll. They must be a resident of the state of Arkansas, mentally competent, not charge with a felony, and they cannot have claimed to vote in any other county or state. The deadline for new voters to register is thirty days before the next election or April, 21, 2012 if they want to be able to vote in the May 22 Primary. Registration can be done online or printed off and taken to a county clerk or mailed to the current Secretary of State.
It is evident that young people are excited about being apart of the next election and look forward to participating. It will be interesting to see if the number of voters in the younger generations make an even bigger rise in numbers this year than in the 2004 election.
“I hope we rock the vote,” concluded Allyson Ferren.
