Election raising students’ passions

by Davy James, Staff Writer
   The youth vote is usually one that holds promise of large voter turnout, yet it is one that often fails to get to the polls on Election Day.
   However, with this year’s election set to make history, a large number of young South Brunswick voters may be poised to finally make a difference. In previous election years, South Brunswick High School has held voter registration drives for students, but this year the drive has been rendered unnecessary, according to social studies teacher Sean Cannon.
   ”I try and get kids registered in my classes that have seniors and get the kids to find other 18-year-olds in school to get them registered,” Mr. Cannon said. “But we haven’t done any large voter registration drives this year because the kids are being proactive and registering to vote on their own. So many students have gone and done it on their own and I think we’re going to see a lot more kids voting this year than in previous elections.”
   Mr. Cannon believes that the interest in the election from first-time voters is related to the historic nature of the election. He said that it has been decades since the presidential ballot did not feature an incumbent president or vice president, “along with the fact that we’ll either see an African-American or a woman elected.”
   Mr. Cannon said his classes are filled with passionate discussions from students discovering an interest in the election.
   ”My classes tend to lean toward the left so I try my best to balance it and steer the discussion in the other direction to show them the other side of the coin,” Mr. Cannon said. “They see it as an opportunity to argue their point strongly and they love doing that. Their interest makes my job that much easier.”
   Mr. Cannon said that many students are feeling the pressure caused by a slumping economy.
   ”Interest in discussing the war has been down because of concerns about the economy in class,” Mr. Cannon said. “The kids are a lot more concerned about whether they can afford to go to college.”
   Students interviewed at the school agreed.
   ”I’m really worried about the economy and it would really help if one of the candidates had a plan to get us out of trouble,” said senior Ashley Knox. “I’m worried I’m not going to be able to pay for college and that I’m going to be stuck with a huge debt after I graduate.”
   Other students still are concerned about the war for personal reasons and would like to see the conflict resolved.
   ”I have an uncle fighting in Iraq,” said junior Juan Perdomo. “It’s very important to me that whoever gets elected brings our troops home safe.”
   As passionate as students in the school are, once Election Day arrives, the only important factor will be which students actually come out and vote, according to Mr. Cannon.
   ”In spring of 2007 there were approximately 21,000 registered voters in South Brunswick,” Mr. Cannon said. “Out of that number, 17,650 people didn’t vote. We can register all the people we want. If they don’t go out and vote, then it doesn’t matter.”