Young voters will have an impact

Milford — Young voters across the country are engaging in politics at a level unprecedented recent times. According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), many states have experienced doubling or tripling in young voter turnout so far in this year’s primary elections. In Pike County, young voters, numbering over 2,800, will make up 6.5% of the total electorate in Tuesday’s primary. According to recent data, the 18-24 year old range of voters in the county is the only demographic where registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans. Regardless of party, for many first-time-voters, casting a ballot in Tuesday’s high-profile primary is a chance they would never pass up. I always looked forward to it…and voting for President for the first time was a very empowering experience,” said Marc Coda, a DV alumnus and current college student, who sent in his absentee ballot several weeks ago. Coda is deeply involved in college Republican politics at sc hool in Rhode Island. He said that this election is all about the young people. “We are the future, that’s the thing. Social security, the national debt-it’s all going to affect us in the long run.” Tuesday’s primary is also engaging those who never really saw themselves as part of the political process before. Kory Smith, is a student at Kutztown University and one such person. “It’s time for young people to step up and focus and pay attention…this is a make or break election…I have realized that, and so have many of my friends,” she said. Especially with the ongoing war, she said she feels more affected now than in the past. Teacher Susan Curtin runs the DV high school election club. Curtin will be holding a mock election Tuesday so that every student will have a chance to vote. The club held a breakfast before the registration deadline for all eligible students and registered about 70. Senior Ryan Jameson is co-president of the organization and the Pike County chair for Obama’s campaign. “This is a revolutionary election, in that youth have started to mobilize…and this will continue in years to come because we have paved the way,” he said. “We kept hearing that ‘young people are so apathetic,’ and we are now seeing a growing trend that our generation wants to end that stigma,” said Maya Ensita, CEO of Mobilize.org, an organization seeking to bring young people into the political process. “With issues like college affordability, the war, healthcare, and others, we see young people using their vote to solve these problems and improve our democracy,” she added.