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League lays the 'smackdown'
Many feel that in today's society, voting is not taken seriously.
Part of the problem involves people who think their vote doesn't count, that their opinions do not matter. However, voting someone into the most powerful position in the world is a responsibility citizens should not take lightly.
This is why the "Smackdown Your Vote!" the League of Women Voters and other partners have decided to do something about this problem. Their program "A Million More in 2004" is to get one million more 18-to-30-year-olds to cast their votes in the 2004 presidential election. In 2000, less than 10 percent of that demographic voted nationwide.
The League of Women Voters was founded in 1919 as the successor organization to the suffrage movement. As a nonpartisan political organization, the league encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Women within the group promote election administration reform, work for a finance campaign reform, build global democracy and create a just society.
One of the League's goals will be to facilitate more debates aimed at young people among candidates for public office.
"We (the League) are excited about our partnership with the 'Smackdown Your Vote!'" said Kay Maxwell, president of the League of Women Voters of the U.S.
"A Million More in 2004 is an excellent opportunity to reach out to the growing number of younger voters who have become disengaged in the political process. We are hopeful that our candidate debates and voter education efforts nationwide will energize America's youngest voters and help them realize the importance of voting and the impact their vote can have."
Since July of 2000, "Smackdown Your Vote!" has registered over 400,000 young voters nationwide. Their goal is to enlist young people to become poll workers to address an aging poll worker force, to obtain a presidential debate focused on issues affecting young voters in 2004 and getting candidates to speak openly to young people on the issues.
The new initiative also focuses on getting 16 and 17-year-olds engaged in democracy so they will be more interested in voting in 2004 or when they become voter eligible.
"(It is a good idea for) 16-and 17-year-olds to learn the process on how the voting process works," said Minnesota Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer.
"It has been a Minnesota law for about 10 years now. This age group can be trainees and get paid two-thirds minimum wage. It looks great on a resume as well."
The idea of engaging young people as poll workers and educating young voters is an important part of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 passed by Congress in its last session. With the act, legislation provides for $3,900 million in federal funds to be given to the states over the next three years to replace outdated voting machines, improve voter education and train poll workers. It also calls for first-time voters who registered by mail to provide identification when they show up at the polls.
For the 2004 election, states will be required to have a computerized voter registration system and to provide provisional ballots to voters whose names do not appear on voter rosters. These will be counted once valid registration is verified.
"I believe that young people do not want to vote because they are too busy with other things," Kiffmeyer said. "Young people also have the tendency to move around a lot."
Although Kiffmeyer is concerned about young people not voting enough, she is proud of Minnesota's statistics versus the rest of the nation.
"Nationwide, 25 percent of young people between the ages of 18 and 24-years old voted. In Minnesota, we are proud to say that we have 50 percent of young people voting," Kiffmeyer said.
"In Atwood, there were over 1,000 people that voted, and we need more (to vote in 2004)," said Justin Byma, president of the College Republicans.
"There is always room for improvement and it is a national goal (to get more young people to vote)."
Kiffmeyer also encourages young voters to attend Minnesota's Young Voters Month in March of 2003.
"This would be the perfect opportunity to have it be 'their month' to speak about issues that they are concerned about," Kiffmeyer said.
Kiffmeyer also encouraged community members to motivate young people to vote.
"U.S. senior citizens, as well as family and friends should encourage young voters to make a difference in a presidential year," Kiffmeyer said.
"I also want to distribute voting pamphlets in high schools, but the budget cuts have affected this strategy."
"(It is important to vote because) students need to have their voices heard," Byma said.
"If students want their voices heard about issues they care about, they should get out and vote. I also feel that SCSU needs more advertising to get students to vote as well."
For more information on how your vote should count, visit www.smackdownyourvote.com.
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