In 1971, Congress passed the Twenty-sixth Amendment, which lowered the legal voting age in the United States from 21 to 18. Since then, the vast majority of college students have had a say in the laws of the land.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, however, only 47 percent of 18- to 24-year-old citizens voted in the 2004 presidential election. 64 percent of total voting-age citizens participated in that election, and the voting rate for citizens 55 and older was 72 percent.

These statistics, though useful in determining the extent of the issue, are no surprise to anyone who interacts regularly with college students. Even in political science classes at Penn Valley, in which one might expect to find politically motivated and interested students, it's not at all uncommon to hear people brushing off the issue with a casual, “My vote doesn't count, so I don't bother.”

Yes, your vote counts

Yes, your vote counts. This country is based on the input of its people, and without voter participation, it cannot properly function. That's the entire point of democracy. And a few votes can make a big difference, especially in an election as close as this upcoming choice between Claire McCaskill and Jim Talent, which is being called the closest senatorial race in the country.

Student votes are particularly important. As long as the percentage of voting youth is less than two-thirds that of citizens 55 and older, the laws that are passed will not reflect the views of people in our age group. These are decisions that will affect us for the rest of our lives; we should make sure they meet our needs.

It's no chore to find students who are willing to complain about the way the government treats them. And why shouldn't they? Tuition is up, and federal aid is down. College students are prime targets for military recruitment. Any laws concerning jobs, the economy, or health care will directly impact you, whether now or just after you graduate, and will continue to be important throughout your career. These are issues that students should be talking about and debating, and when a chance to change them is presented to us, we should take full advantage of it.

Even college students who are not of the opinion that a single vote doesn't count tend not to vote, for a variety of reasons. They're too busy; registration is too complicated; they don't care about the candidates or the issues. These excuses sound hollow when the extent of power provided by the ballot is considered. Voting is not a hindrance. It is a right, one that many people have fought for in the past, and we should be grateful to have it.

It's time to take the blame away from your schedule, the media, the registration processes, the election officials, and the politicians. It's time to acknowledge that when you don't vote, it's you that is choosing not to vote, and when the laws you didn't vote on affect your life, it is in part your fault.

Bumper sticker wisdom says, “If you don't vote, don't bitch,” and, “If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.” We at Spectrum agree with these sentiments, and we think they add up to a logical conclusion: if you're informed, you should have complaints, and if you have complaints, you should vote.

So vote. Your next chance is November 7. Take an hour off work or a study break and exercise your constitutional right to make a difference.

Tell us what you think. Write Spectrum at editor@mcckc.edu.

Copyright 2006 Metropolitan Community College