Election day is quickly approaching and many University of Memphis students are excited about going to the polls and voting for the first time. Considering the country's current state of war, some consider this election to be one of the most important in recent history.
This is a fact not lost on University of Memphis students and American youth.
An anticipated 70 percent of registered voters between the ages of 18-24 are expected to go to the polls this year, according to CNN.com. Past elections have only seen 20 percent of American youth turn out at the polls.
"You can't complain about the way things are in our country if you don't get out there and vote," said Michelle Walker, junior business major.
Although some University of Memphis students, like Bethany Boyd, sophomore biology major, have been registered for a while, this is the first time they will be voting.
"This election is extremely important, because what happens now determines so many events later," Boyd said.Other first-time voters are also glad to know that their voice will be heard on Tuesday, Nov. 2.
"I can vote for who I feel reflects me," said Emma Jacobs, freshman art major.
Many young people have registered as a result of pressure from various voter registration drives, but some didn't need prodding. "I registered because I wanted to, and on my own accord," said Michael Gomez, junior physical education major.
Similar to many other U of M students, Gomez is planning to do his part to determine our next president by going to the polls and voting.Professor William Marty, the College Republicans adviser, said that each candidate has opposing views on so many different issues, such as foreign and domestic policy, as well as abortion and stem-cell research.
"If a person cares about any of these things, they should go out and vote," Marty said. "Who wins depends on who votes."
Lately, the public has been saturated with so many opinions and news stories about this year's candidates that it may seem difficult for first-time voters to sort out truth from fiction.
"It's hard to make an informed decision when students are not informing themselves," said Jim Vandiveer, junior political science major and president of the College Democrats.
Vandiveer suggests that U of M students should attempt to take a few minutes out of everyday to focus on the issues of this election in order to reach a decision they feel comfortable with.
Some students, like Jason Gillespie, senior recording tech and music business major, have followed along with the election process and have sorted out the issues that they feel are most important to them.
"I knew how important this election is from the beginning," said Gillespie. "I always pay attention to politics, and I've watched the debates as well."
No matter who is named our next president, some predict this election will be known as one of the closest races in our history.
"Considering that this is such a close election," said Diana Lowry, a member of the College Democrats, "it is so important for every student to realize that their vote really counts."
