Most 18-year-olds are eager to assert their independence, but less than half of them vote. Although tired of having others tell them what to do, they’re ultimately leaving themselves out of decision making by not registering for one of the key ways to make their voices heard: voting.
Daniel Tranfaglia, senior, is a registered voter. “On my card it says ‘PND,’ meaning Party Not Designated. I chose this because I can’t say I’m completely for or against any political party,” he said.
Tranfaglia registered at the DMV in February while acquiring his graduated driver’s license. “The process didn’t take long; they just asked me a couple of questions like what my party affiliation was,” he said.
He thinks it’s important for 18-year-olds to register to vote. “We, the people of this nation, have the freedom to express how we feel this country should be run, so it is important that everybody has the opportunity to vote and express their opinions,” Tranfaglia said.
Senior Fatimah Amill registered in February after being sent information in the mail. “My views are pretty liberal, so I decided to register as a Democrat,” Amill said. “I was planning to register, and they sent me the forms to do so,” she said. “It was pretty easy, actually. I filled out my information and sent it back to the County Recorder.”
Amill feels the need to be an active participant in politics by voting. “Young people don’t think their opinions matter,” she said. “We’re the future, and we should be getting more politically involved. We have to make an impact on what lies ahead.”
Another 18-year-old who registered is senior Matt Monge. “I like the Republican candidates who are running, and I like their views on how they want to change America,” Monge said.
Monge registered as a Republican at the DMV. “It takes about 10 minutes and is computer generated.”
Constitution teacher, Bill Flynn, advises students to register. “Political indifference leads to increases in tuition for universities,” he said. “When young people don’t vote, things like this happen.”
However, Flynn has noticed a difference in students over the years. “Students are more involved politically today than they were 10 years ago,” he said.
While the 2008 presidential election turned out large numbers of young people in support of Barack Obama, many of them were not eligible to vote.
Maggie Duncan, Elections Program Manager for the Sierra Vista Chapter of the League of Women Voters said, “In 2008, young voters turned out in higher numbers than in the past. However, less than half of all 18 year olds were actually registered to vote during that election, and couldn’t participate.”
Duncan and the League of Women Voters are concerned by this. “Voter registration is crucial to inspiring young people to get involved in their government and community,” she said. “The League believes that we all play a vital role in empowering young people by registering them to vote – and especially encouraging young people to get their friends and family excited about voting.”
Despite these efforts, there are some teenagers who remain silent. “Many youth claim that it is not a lack of interest but rather a lack of information that prevents them from registering or getting out and casting their ballot,” Duncan said. “This is why the League of Women Voters has created www.VOTE411.org, a helpful, nonpartisan site with lots of great information about how and where to cast your vote.”
While turning 18 does open a new chapter of one’s life, Duncan and the League of Women Voters want to change the perception that young people may have of voting. “Elections are about your education, your environment, your community, your future,” she said. “We all have to participate if we want to have a way of improving our country.”
There are a number of ways to register. Visit the DMV, Democratic or Republican headquarters, or online at http://www.azsos.gov/.