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ROCK the VOTE
By Sarah Kramm- Contributing Author
It is 2008 and unless you live under a rock you have heard the constant television bombardments to choose a Presidential candidate and to vote for them in November. Now that we have narrowed the field to two main candidates, things are starting to get crazy. There is a bumper sticker frenzy on America’s highways and people are wearing “Rock the Vote” on their tee-shirts unlike any other year you have ever seen. Within a few short months, your neighbors’ lawns will be covered with endorsements for both Senators McCain and Obama along with bids for the senate, congress and many local and state political offices.
And this is where I make my entrance. My name is Sarah Kramm and I am the current Miss Continental America. I turn 20 years old this July, which means this will be my first Presidential election, and I can not wait to vote!
Ever since I was a little girl I had loved to listen to the Presidential candidates’ debate. I even remember at one time telling my mom that I wanted to do that myself and become the President of the United States of America, although I also said that I wanted to have ice cream for supper that night too! As the years passed, I tagged along behind my parents as they voted in numerous elections and I have always anticipated the day when I would have the privilege of casting my vote in my very first election. But exercising your right to vote is not only a privilege it is our responsibility as Americans.
So, here we are election year 2008, and I’m sure you are thinking, “That’s great Sarah, but why should I vote? It’s not like one vote matters.” If you believe that you are completely wrong especially if this is your first election. The prediction is that the young people will be deciding this election. Never before has our age group wielded so much power. If you are eligible to vote in the upcoming elections it is your time to shine and choose who you really feel will lead our country to a better tomorrow.
This is especially important for women who did not earn the right to vote until 1920. It took 88 years to have a woman as a serious contender for America’s highest office. So, as you can see, we are still a step or two behind our male counterparts. Until 1971 the voting age was twenty-one so everyone that is older than eighteen years old when election time rolls around is able to vote. Voting is still a huge privilege and many teens and young adults just do not see that. That outlook needs to be changed ASAP!
Some people think voting is scary and nerve-racking, well if you can chew off all of your finger nails when you watch the movie, “Scream” and live to tell about it, then you should have the fortitude to get yourself to a polling center and cast your vote. It is not all that scary; it is simply rendering your opinion on how you feel about the Presidential candidates.
If you are confused as to which candidate you would like to vote for, this is how I look at choosing a candidate that is right for the job. The Presidential candidates are concerned about your well being and if you have an issue of concern, find out which candidate agrees with your stand point. Think of a Presidential candidate you could metaphorically sit down to dinner with and talk about a range of subjects from their foreign policy to funny television shows. Once you have that in mind you want to research that person and make sure you really want your one, valuable vote to go to him. Make a list of all the attributes that you think make up a great president and even the attributes that make up a president that you do not want to see in office and compare your ideal characteristics with your candidate. Do they fit the qualities you want to see in the next President? If so, your selection will be easy; if not, do they fit most of the qualities?
There are a few things not to forget when voting this year, starting with the most important, do not forget to register to vote in time for the election! When registering to vote and also at the polling center on Election Day, you will need to provide a current, valid driver's license. Last, the voting machines are your friends not your foe’s. They are there to help you make your long, thought out selection for president. Every polling center has volunteers that explain the process to everyone; even if you have voted 20 times before, you will hear the instructions again on Election Day. Think of it his way, most polling centers use a method that is sort of like standardized testing. You take a pen and fill in the bubbles. Some centers use voting machines…the big lever pulls the curtain closed, then there are separate little levers all labeled with the candidates names. You pull the lever of the candidate you want to vote down and when you are done, the same big lever that closed the curtain, registers the vote, clears the machine for the next voter and opens the curtain. Voila! Your first vote has been cast. If you live in Florida, well, I have no advice for you…missing chads, hanging chads, pregnant chads and dimpled chads are beyond my comprehension.
At the moment you are probably thinking, “Okay all of this information is great, but I still do not understand why my one vote counts if the Electoral College votes and that is all that matters.” And that is a valid point but it needs to be cleared up. Rather than directly voting for the President and Vice President, we (the United States citizens) cast votes for the Electoral College representatives, they are known as “electors”. The electoral college does elect the president, but the popular vote in each state determines who gets to sits in the Electoral College. Whoever wins a state in the popular vote gets that state's electoral votes. (i.e Democratic Party, Republican Party, or Independent Party).
So, what you are actually doing is electing the people who elect the President, however they are committed to vote for the winning candidate in their state. Although the ballots have the names of the Presidential candidates, voters in all of the 50 states and Washington D.C. appoint the electors on Election Day for their state when they vote for President and Vice President. Even though the national popular vote is calculated by state officials and important media organizations, the popular vote is not the basis for electing the President or Vice President. This is where it gets confusing, a candidate has to have an absolute majority of electoral votes from the electors to win the Presidency. So every single vote is needed to determine which elector will cast his or her ballot for the Presidency and vice-Presidency.
Now that I have gone over all of the key points about voting and have hopefully cleared up the confusion and myths that your vote is not needed, my message to you is “Rock the Vote”. You all get together on Superbowl Sunday and vote for your team, right? Well it’s time to carry that party attitude into an area that will affect your life. Get your friends together and have an Election Night party. Start out at the polls and stay up late watching the returns. Remember that voting is not only your right it is your civic duty. As Americans we take so much for granted such as our freedom and our right to select the men and women that will lead our government. Through voting, your voice is heard.
Politicians, celebrities, working men and women, college students and even some high-school students are coming together to, “Rock the Vote” during the 2008 election. The President of the United States not only affects life in America, but as the largest super-power we directly affect the rest of the world and people around the world will be watching. Divided we fail but together we can find a President that will handle the needs of the United States. America is a beautiful place to live, put someone responsible in charge. See you at the polls this November!
About the Author!
Sarah is a Junior at the University of Alabama and is majoring in Journalism. She is a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority where she was the Philanthropy Chairperson. Sarah is also a member of the Elliott Honor's Society for Community Service. And is currently a Peer Mentor.
Sarah has spent most of her life as an advocate for the disabled. Being the only sibling of a sister with Cerebral Palsy she knows first hand and understands the importance of equality for all. She served as President of the Children's National Advisory Council for Hadley's Park, a non profit organization who helped communities create fully inclusive playgrounds. Sarah's love for children had her seeking out other ways to become involved within her community and four years ago she created the "Thanks-for-Giving" toy drive which is held during the holiday season which has benefited Children's National Hospital, the National Rehab Hospital, and Give Kids the World Village.
Sarah's other interests include dancing, cheering, and working out. She spent most of her life studying Jazz Dancing both in class and privately. When she wasn't dancing she was cheering for Xtreme Cheer-All Stars, which she loved. And she loves being with her family and friends!
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