Voter Apathy Among Youth Apparent in April 4 Primary
Milwaukee, WI- Voter apathy on Marquette University’s campus was apparent among non-local and younger residents during the April 3, 2012 Wisconsin Primary Elections. With the only statewide election featuring the GOP Primary race for the Republican ticket and President Barack Obama running unopposed on the Democratic ticket, many young, out-of-state residents did not feel that their vote would be well served.
Sophomores at Marquette Willie Conaghan (Arts and Sciences ’14) and Michael Hudson (Arts and Sciences ’14) echoed this sentiment.
“Being from Maryland, we attempted to vote, but when informed that we would have to register in Wisconsin, it did not make sense” says Hudson.
The pair of out-of-state students felt that their vote would be uninformed in a local election that they perceived had little to no effect on them. Both identifying with the Republican Party, Hudson stated that he had no pressing issues in which this election covered. “The economy has little effect on me at a personal level” stated Hudson, who has primarily worked under-the-table jobs over the summer that he does not pay taxes on. Being sophomores, the duo stated that the economy was not a major concern, being so far removed from the working world.
However, each candidate’s stances on social issues as well as health care seemed to resonate more with the pair. A major issue with the two students at the Catholic Jesuit University was Obama’s perceived attack on the Catholic Church. “I don’t believe it’s right that Obama is making the Catholic Church provide its workers with birth control coverage when it is clearly against Catholic doctrine,” stated Conaghan.
Students closer to graduation had less concerns about social issues such as birth control, and more concerns about economic issues. Jack Kinney (Arts and Sciences ’12), a senior at Marquette slotted to graduate in May, was primarily concerned about the economy.
“I need to know that our economy is going in the right direction, and I need to have my voice heard in that vein,” stated Kinney. The economy was a paramount issue, while the social issues presented in the debate largely took a backseat. Kinney, a Political Science major, said that although he is from Connecticut, this election was of the utmost importance and he needed to have his vote heard no matter where he was living.
Liz Sullivan (Arts and Sciences ’12), another senior graduating in May was not as concerned with social issues. “I think birth control is a no-brainer, along with most of the social issues that are presented such as gay marriage,” stated Sullivan, “I’m concerned about whether I’m getting a job in May, not things that won’t matter a whole lot if I don’t have any money.”
Both seniors stated that they have had many political discussions among their social groups about the upcoming elections and candidates. They mentioned that they were avid news viewers and felt that their votes were extremely important.
However, the sophomores at Marquette University had a very different view on the elections. They stated that most of their friends were not even aware an election was taking place, and did not seem to care about the outcome.
“It is common to hear somebody endorse a candidate such as Obama, because they say ‘he seems like a personable guy’ and that is extremely frustrating” stated Hudson.
This sentiment has given both Hudson and Conaghan very cynical views of the election process. “I don’t think my vote really matters that much, because there are so many uniformed voters out there.”
While the graduating seniors of Marquette University are very concerned about the upcoming elections and the primary elections serving as a precursor to November, the younger generation of college students does not seem so concerned.
“I don’t think they care, because they are so far removed,” stated Kinney, “when I was a sophomore, I could care less about elections, and now that the election is hitting home and will affect my job search and my future immensely, it has scared me into becoming very aware.”
This new dynamic signals looming issues for the candidates in the upcoming November election. Each candidate needs to work on finding issues pertinent to the younger generation of college students in order to capture these seemingly apathetic voters.
Sophomores at Marquette Willie Conaghan (Arts and Sciences ’14) and Michael Hudson (Arts and Sciences ’14) echoed this sentiment.
“Being from Maryland, we attempted to vote, but when informed that we would have to register in Wisconsin, it did not make sense” says Hudson.
The pair of out-of-state students felt that their vote would be uninformed in a local election that they perceived had little to no effect on them. Both identifying with the Republican Party, Hudson stated that he had no pressing issues in which this election covered. “The economy has little effect on me at a personal level” stated Hudson, who has primarily worked under-the-table jobs over the summer that he does not pay taxes on. Being sophomores, the duo stated that the economy was not a major concern, being so far removed from the working world.
However, each candidate’s stances on social issues as well as health care seemed to resonate more with the pair. A major issue with the two students at the Catholic Jesuit University was Obama’s perceived attack on the Catholic Church. “I don’t believe it’s right that Obama is making the Catholic Church provide its workers with birth control coverage when it is clearly against Catholic doctrine,” stated Conaghan.
Students closer to graduation had less concerns about social issues such as birth control, and more concerns about economic issues. Jack Kinney (Arts and Sciences ’12), a senior at Marquette slotted to graduate in May, was primarily concerned about the economy.
“I need to know that our economy is going in the right direction, and I need to have my voice heard in that vein,” stated Kinney. The economy was a paramount issue, while the social issues presented in the debate largely took a backseat. Kinney, a Political Science major, said that although he is from Connecticut, this election was of the utmost importance and he needed to have his vote heard no matter where he was living.
Liz Sullivan (Arts and Sciences ’12), another senior graduating in May was not as concerned with social issues. “I think birth control is a no-brainer, along with most of the social issues that are presented such as gay marriage,” stated Sullivan, “I’m concerned about whether I’m getting a job in May, not things that won’t matter a whole lot if I don’t have any money.”
Both seniors stated that they have had many political discussions among their social groups about the upcoming elections and candidates. They mentioned that they were avid news viewers and felt that their votes were extremely important.
However, the sophomores at Marquette University had a very different view on the elections. They stated that most of their friends were not even aware an election was taking place, and did not seem to care about the outcome.
“It is common to hear somebody endorse a candidate such as Obama, because they say ‘he seems like a personable guy’ and that is extremely frustrating” stated Hudson.
This sentiment has given both Hudson and Conaghan very cynical views of the election process. “I don’t think my vote really matters that much, because there are so many uniformed voters out there.”
While the graduating seniors of Marquette University are very concerned about the upcoming elections and the primary elections serving as a precursor to November, the younger generation of college students does not seem so concerned.
“I don’t think they care, because they are so far removed,” stated Kinney, “when I was a sophomore, I could care less about elections, and now that the election is hitting home and will affect my job search and my future immensely, it has scared me into becoming very aware.”
This new dynamic signals looming issues for the candidates in the upcoming November election. Each candidate needs to work on finding issues pertinent to the younger generation of college students in order to capture these seemingly apathetic voters.