With anelection close on the horizon that will help decide the direction the UnitedStates will head in, students are beginning to realize they must turn out atthe polls.
“This will bethe first election that I will be able to vote in and I know that it could beone of the most important (elections) of my life time,” said Brian Robinson, afreshman at Hampton University.
Here inLouisiana there are more than 36,000 registered voters that are ages 18 to 34.This year they will have the chance to help decide more than just the race forthe president. On November 2, they will be asked to decide if Baton Rouge willhave a black mayor-president for the first time.
Other issueson the ballot are veterans’ employment preference, homestead exemption, freedomto hunt fish and trap and Metro Council positions among other local issues.
Many agree itis important to get young people to realize the importance of their vote.
“Voting islike reading, in the fact that they are both fundamental,” said Dr. WilliamArp, a political science professor.
Craig Baylis,an SU alum and organizer of the Alpha Phi Alpha Voter Advocacy Tailgate Partyis working to keep the issues of the upcoming election afloat.
“Our goal isto remind undergrads and others that November 2nd is an important and seriousdate,” Baylis said.
They hope thatthey will be able to inspire people, and to let them know that “a votelesspeople is a hopeless people.” Baylis said.
Throughprograms like Citizen Vote, many are hoping to communicate the importance ofvoting.
“In the lastfour years we have seen college grads make $8,000 less than what they made justfour years ago. Students must stand up so they can be counted,” said DerekWooley, executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party.