TO THE EDITOR:
Countless pundits continue to speak of the “enthusiasm gap” in the upcoming midterm elections, particularly in regard to young voters.
They say that not only are we not going to show up to the polls this year, but also that we don’t really care about the election at all.
A CBS News/New York Times poll conducted in mid-September found a mere 15 percent of young people say they are paying “a lot of attention” to the election. As a part of that 15 percent I feel the urge to prove these pollsters wrong, because I, as a 19-year-old college student and proud American citizen, have a stake in this year’s election. We all do.
Regardless of your party affiliation, this year’s midterm election will play a large role in shaping U.S. politics for years to come. In this year’s election, N.C. voters will select a U.S. Senator and members of Congress as well as State representatives for the N.C. General Assembly.
Vote because you want immigration reform. Vote because you want to ensure adequate funding for public education. Vote because you want health care. Vote because you’re pissed off. Vote because you can. Early voting at Morehead Planetarium begins Oct. 18, and you can register and vote at the same time on site. Vote and we will prove those pundits wrong because our votes matter and our voices deserve to be heard.
Zaina Alsous
Sophomore
Political Science
