Jackson Free Press

Here's a riddle: There are 26.9 million of them, and as much as they fight for freedom to make their own decisions and choices, 17 million of them never make one of the most important ones.
If you guessed people between the ages of 18 and 25 and voting as the most important choice, you're dead on.

Statistically, of all the people of legal age to vote, young adults are the least likely to vote. But as such a huge mass of decision-makers, they could, statistically speaking, be one of the most powerful voices in any election.

Until 1971 and the passage of the 26th Amendment, the legal voting age was 21. But after millions of young men were sent off to fight in the Vietnam War—a war that a president for whom they did not even have an opportunity to vote against had ordered them to fight—a whole new group of young, fresh minds were put onto the voting rolls.

The new group, though, made little impact and were for the most part disregarded in political campaigns until 1992. MTV, which had been expanding and growing in all aspects of pop culture for nearly a decade, entered the political arena. The station's very own MTV news reporters went out to interview candidates, taking a socially conscious position on encouraging and educating young voters.

The Republican candidate and incumbent president in 1992, George Bush, brushed off the video music channel. The younger, Democratic candidate, Bill Clinton, however, embraced the station, seeing it as an opportunity to reach that many more millions of voters. MTV even did a special audience interview with Clinton, hence the quote, "I never inhaled." And ever since, every Presidential candidate has had a chance to be on MTV.

Has this helped? In Mississippi, in the last presidential election, 48 percent of the young adult population voted, up 5 percent from 1972. Unfortunately, nationwide, the youth turnout has declined every year from its one-time high of 49.6 percent in 1972, the first year those 18-20 could vote.

'I Don't Want to Go to War'
Why young adults don't vote is the bigger question, though. There are probably millions of reasons, but the most common answer is that youth do not feel they really count.

"Being young, you can become cynical," says C.J. Lawrence, 22. "You'll think your voice won't be heard." Lawrence, who graduated from Tougaloo in May, is going to make sure his voice is heard in November. With issues and concerns just like any other person of any age, Lawrence worries about his future. "One of the things I'm most concerned about is the economy. As a recent graduate, finding a job that will support you is hard."

The way the bad economy affects older people is a concern, he says: "It's getting harder to get into graduate school with adults in the work force going back to school, trying to make more money in a struggling economy."

While Lawrence is concerned with issues, Joe Armes, 21, from Ridgeland, admits to not really worrying himself. "I don't really think that much about government." Armes, who is currently employed as a delivery driver for Papa John's, plans on voting, but has not made a decision as to who he'll vote for. "I try to pick the lesser of two evils," say Armes. "I don't really like either."

Kate York, 23, and originally a native of Florida, puts moral issues at the top of her list, and sees Bush as her choice. York, a manager for Abercrombie & Fitch and a graduate of Florida State, thinks that Bush has addressed her issues, especially with subjects such as abortion.

Michelle Stutts, 19, also has concerns about the future: the possibility of a draft. "I'm planning on voting for Kerry because I really disagree with what Bush has done with the war in Iraq." Stutts, who will attend Hinds Community College in the fall and currently works as a server at Chili's, has heard that if a draft were re-instated, even women would go, and that scares her. "I don't want to go to war," she says.

Who Cares Most: Bush or Kerry?
Young people are thinking about their futures, and the issues that affect them, but whether or not Bush or Kerry recognizes the concerns also remains unseen.

Bush, like previous Republicans, has made less of an effort in his attempt to reach out to youth, relying more on the numerous commencement addresses he has done as president. So far, he has had a tournament for colleges to compete to sign up the most Bush supporters, limiting his youth outreach to only students.

Kerry, like his Democratic predecessors, has already directed much attention to the youth vote. He has appeared on MTV, answering questions from young people all over the country, and has made many college appearances, including here in Jackson at Tougaloo. His Web site contains an elaborate section entitled "Young Voters for Kerry" and features young people who work on his campaign, opportunities to help out and a few videos and songs attempting to mimic some form of techno or rap. Unlike Bush, though, he makes no distinction of education or social class, and welcomes any who want to participate.

But the biggest talker in politics is money, and that is one thing the majority of youth are short on. And if they have it, a political campaign is probably the last thing they want to spend it on. When campaigns cost millions of dollars, who is going to care about those who don't have the cash, especially when the lowest suggested donation is $50 for Bush and $25 for Kerry (though they offer a space to input one's own amount)? So who is going to get youth to vote?

"Youth would make youth get out and vote," Lawrence states. "People that look like them, people getting out to college campuses and military bases." Lawrence also thinks it's a good idea to have a campaign manager for all age groups, senior citizens, adults, and young adults.

As for what happens in November, Lawrence has high expectations. "I hope my generation makes the difference," he says.

Bush v. Kerry
Which one appeals to you?

Bush:
• Frat boy who partied his way through
college
• Insistent on helping the economy "grow"
• Has a niece that is a model
• His dad still skydives at the age of 80
• Isn't afraid to kick a little ass when
necessary
• Lives on ranch—could actually be a negative since, according to James Carville it's not a ranch since it doesn't have cattle, which would be a lie, plus, the vast majority of young people don't have a ranch and could not relate
• Laura, she's like the perfect mom
• Likes to cut taxes (though most young people don't make enough money to be affected)

Kerry:
• Rebel with a cause, fighting in Vietnam and then protesting the war upon his return
• Mega-rich wife
• Ready to fix Iraq and get the hell out
• Has been divorced—how many families are as perfect as the Bushes?
• Extreme sportsman
• Loves the environment
• Enjoys gliding down the slopes on his snowboard
• Makes college affordability a top issue
• Will be surrounded lots of rock and rap stars between now and November.
• Has attractive kids and stepkids
• Can pronounce "nuclear."