Jackson Free Press

The primaries are almost here, and too many young hipsters in the 18-29 age bracket couldn't be further away from knowing what it means for Mississippi, and moreover, themselves. It always shocks me when someone tells me that they will not vote in an election, especially on the state and local levels. What is always more unsettling, however, is the reasoning behind this genius idea. I have compiled a short list of my favorite responses, all of which should evoke guilt and shame.

Response #1: "I don't know anything about the candidates, so I'd rather not vote. Besides, politics gives me a headache."

This might be a primitive thought, but it seems that someone who seeks out knowledge would find it. With the media being such a powerful election tool in the recent years, watching a mere 30 minutes of your local news could give even the laziest person at least an inkling as to what candidates are saying. You don't even have to listen, really. Just having the television on in the next room would allow some bits and pieces to permeate your brain.

Perhaps the most readily accessible method of candidate shopping is visiting candidates' Web sites. See what they have to say about themselves, what they value and how they plan to do better than the last guy.

It is also important for voters to understand that we cannot rely simply on what candidates say in interviews with media. While these are a good foundation, voters must delve underneath the rehearsed sound bites that candidates have become way too comfortable giving. Their publicists go down the list of hot topics and train them to give the same answer to any related five questions, and to never deviate. This way, they are safe. They don't have to think on the spot and give genuine, honest answers.

Try this for homework: Go to the JFP Web site and take a quote given by a candidate that you are interested in learning more about. Then, Google it. You'll usually find that he or she has said it before almost verbatim, and often. If you want extra credit, consider calling the candidates directly. As a constituent, they should be answering you, anyway. If you can't get in contact with candidates, try listening to candid interviews or reading transcripts of full interviews at the JFP Web site. It's not as telling as talking in person, but you'll also find some great stuff.

Not being informed is not a viable excuse for not voting, when we live in the digital age of television, radio and the Internet. Stupidity is a disability. Ignorance is a choice.

Response #2: "I don't want to support this system of government, so I'd rather not vote. Anarchists have it right."

Well, if you lived in a remote land where the hands of government could not reach you, then by all means, don't support this system. However, despite any iconoclastic, rebel feelings toward the government, it will still be here in the morning. Ignoring a problem doesn't make it better. Denouncing the institution that decides funding in our schools and development to our land does not make you polarized from it. It just means that you have no right to criticize it.

Response #3: "If I register to vote, then I will be eligible for jury duty. Eww."

This is true; yes, you are included in the pool of potential jurors once you register to vote. But, one of the major problems with the U.S. government today is the failing system of checks and balances. People are disappointed in a system that has failed; the wonderful democracy that we ideally have in America has lost its luster. What they fail to realize, however, is that when you dodge jury duty by not registering to vote, you have lent yourself to the vicious cycle.

How can we protect due process and the 14th Amendment by sneakily avoiding the prestigious honor of being a part of a jury of peers? So, not only have you made it harder for justice to be met in the courtroom, but also in the voting booths, all because the experience of participating in the very thing about which you complain is a pain in the neck.

Response #4: "Gosh, is it 6 o'clock already? Well, I'm already home. I don't feel like driving .25 miles to my polling station and standing in that dreadful line."

Election Day is always busy. It is an important day, which requires careful planning and detail. It takes 30 seconds to cast your votes and once you leave, it is hard not to feel a glowing sense of pride and duty. Don't put it off. Get up 30 minutes early and head to the polls.

Response #5: "Government will be corrupt whether I vote or not. Voting just means that I elected the S.O.B. into office myself."

This defeatist process of thinking is why so many people don't vote. I can somewhat sympathize with this theory, but the glass-half-full part of me stands up in opposition and says, "No." The Harvard Institute of Politics reports that 18- to 24-year olds are 26.8 million strong, more than 80 percent of the size of the senior population. We also have the most diverse makeup of any other demographic. If young Mississippians, 80 percent of the senior population, voted in the primaries, we could bring about the change that Mississippi needs. You don't have to watch undesirable candidates be elected into powerful offices. You can stop the ball right here.

According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, in 2002 an estimated 100,000 Mississippians between the ages of 18 and 29 were eligible to vote. Only 21,000 came out to the polls. The last recorded statistic in September 2006, estimated that there were 400,000 young Mississippians in the 18-29 age bracket who were eligible to vote. How many of us will exercise our privilege?

This Aug. 7, take responsibility for your state and hold its officials accountable. Stop complaining and get out to the polls. To borrow from Donna Ladd, just shut up and vote!

Maggie Burks is the new assistant editor of the Jackson Free Press. Contact her about story ideas and other editorial issues at [e-mail missing].

Previous Comments

ID

75174

Comment

One of the great promises of a democracy is the ability to particiapte in the system, or not. I have to say in the last presidential election, I chose not to vote. I could not honestly back John Kerry or George Bush, and there was no other candidate that I could back. Was I a bad person because I could not put my vote behind someone I did not believe in? In this country, we get to choose. If you do not believe in someone, do not back someone because they are the "lesser of two evils." Do not choose evil. When voting comes down to the idea of choosing between horribile choices, then there is a good reason not to play the game. Too many times today people say what Donna says, "just shut up and vote." What a terrible way to view the electoral system. Donna Ladd and many other people's view of elections is, "even if you don't like them, at least play our game so we can win." My view is, "win on your own." If I don't agree with a candidate, I don't vote for them. If there are no good candidates, I don't play the god-damn game. Call me a Commie, call me whatever, but I choose good people, I don't follow like a sheep. So if you follow Donna's way, bah-bah, black sheep. If you want to think for yourself, find a candidate you believe in. And thats the truth, Ruth.

Author

Trust

Date

2007-08-02T02:39:18-06:00

ID

75175

Comment

Many aren't choosing not to vote because they are educated on the issues and candidates and still don't want to vote for a candidate. Many are not voting for the reasons actually stated in the piece. Also, another interesting tidbit to add here is that in the last presidential election, a higher proportion of Mississippians 29 and under voted for Kerry than in any other southern state. In other words, Mississippi youth voted blue. And one wonders why folks like Trust tries to shut down any and all progressive conversation in the state—y'all are nervous that the future here may not belong to people who think just like you do, don't you?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-08-02T07:25:37-06:00

ID

75176

Comment

(Oh, and cheers to our wonderful new assistant editor's first column! Welcome, Maggie.)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-08-02T07:26:12-06:00