Wiley: Youth issues at stake in 2012 elections

A recent Gallup poll found that many voters are less enthusiastic about the upcoming election than in previous years. Young adult voting can be instrumental in the upcoming election, and no one likes for his/her opinions to go unheard.

We all have something to say and the best way to have our voices heard is to vote. In doing so, we let everyone know that we support youth driven legislation.

As young adults, we also have a unique view on certain topics, and as students of a very diverse campus, we have the ability to offer our unique viewpoints. Who cares more about college tuition prices and social issues than the people that they are impacting? If we decide that voting isn’t really important, our opinion is basically mute. Frankly, we lose our right to complain about the problems at hand when we are too lazy to go out and vote.

If the whole process of voting seems intimidating and boring, don’t fret. The process is easy and your voice can be heard across the nation. The first step in the process is to register to vote. You can simply get on the Internet and go to the VoteTexas.org website. It’s as simple as entering your driver’s license number and some basic information. This process takes literally five minutes.

The next step is becoming an informed voter. You do this by listening to each party’s political views and interests.

Let’s be honest; debates can be boring. One way that makes the process a little more interesting is social media campaigns such as “Rock the Vote” and “Project Vote.” The sites for campaigns these help to make politics interesting and help us get invested in the issues. It makes understanding the issues interactive and puts me in the middle of the decisions. It can make you feel like you can make a difference.

As one of the most connected generations in the history of America, if something happens around the world, we know about it almost as soon as it happens thanks to social media and technology.

News spreads fast and this helps us to understand politics to be educated voters. This also gives us an upper hand on understanding issues because we are up-to-date on everything going on around us.

The final step is to actually go out and vote. There are many places to vote around town and there are multiple slots available to go and cast your vote. You can find the exact place to cast your vote by visiting Canivote.org.

In the 2008 election alone, the number of voters in the 18-24 age range tripled. No matter your party affiliation or beliefs, I believe that everyone over the age of 17 should make the effort to vote in the coming elections on Nov. 6. Just remember, to get your voice heard, you have to show up and vote!