Spring Break
Election virgins
Students excited to vote for the very first time
Lidia Ryan
Issue date: 11/3/08 Section: Election Special
First-time voters on campus are excited to exercise their right to vote and make a difference in the presidential election.
This election will be the first time most UConn students will be old enough to vote, and many are looking at it as a chance to make their opinions matter.
"I'm a 19-year-old whose voice isn't normally heard," said Allan Costa, a 5th-semester pre-pharmacy major.
Lauren Ellis, a 7th-semester English and communications double major and president of the UConn College Democrats, will be voting for the first time in a presidential election this year. She is excited, having worked for Barack Obama's campaign for over a year now.
"It's going to be a rush," Ellis said. "Nov. 4, for me, is 18 months in the making. It's one of the moments I'm truly looking forward to thus far in my life."
Jennifer Miller, the president of the UConn College Republicans and a 7th-semester biology major, said she is also looking forward to voting for the first time.
"The youth vote will outshine everyone else," she said. "People are very emotional about it. I feel honored to be able to vote. I've been looking forward to this since I turned 18."
Jeffrey Ladewig, assistant professor of political science, said that many young people are eager to vote.
"Across the country, young adults are sensing an opportunity to change the direction of the country," he said. "They can make a real difference in this election."
Kathryn Heinzer, a 5th-semester mechanical engineering major said, "so many people before us fought to give us the right that I feel that every U.S. citizen is obligated to vote. I'm excited, but I'm also nervous that I won't make the right decision."
Kenneth Dautrich, an associate professor of public policy, said that the youth vote could have a significant impact on the election. He said there has been a surge of new voter registration, and that the polls show most young voters supporting Obama. The issue is whether or not they will actually vote, he said.
This election will be the first time most UConn students will be old enough to vote, and many are looking at it as a chance to make their opinions matter.
"I'm a 19-year-old whose voice isn't normally heard," said Allan Costa, a 5th-semester pre-pharmacy major.
Lauren Ellis, a 7th-semester English and communications double major and president of the UConn College Democrats, will be voting for the first time in a presidential election this year. She is excited, having worked for Barack Obama's campaign for over a year now.
"It's going to be a rush," Ellis said. "Nov. 4, for me, is 18 months in the making. It's one of the moments I'm truly looking forward to thus far in my life."
Jennifer Miller, the president of the UConn College Republicans and a 7th-semester biology major, said she is also looking forward to voting for the first time.
"The youth vote will outshine everyone else," she said. "People are very emotional about it. I feel honored to be able to vote. I've been looking forward to this since I turned 18."
Jeffrey Ladewig, assistant professor of political science, said that many young people are eager to vote.
"Across the country, young adults are sensing an opportunity to change the direction of the country," he said. "They can make a real difference in this election."
Kathryn Heinzer, a 5th-semester mechanical engineering major said, "so many people before us fought to give us the right that I feel that every U.S. citizen is obligated to vote. I'm excited, but I'm also nervous that I won't make the right decision."
Kenneth Dautrich, an associate professor of public policy, said that the youth vote could have a significant impact on the election. He said there has been a surge of new voter registration, and that the polls show most young voters supporting Obama. The issue is whether or not they will actually vote, he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
allan costa
posted 11/04/08 @ 6:49 AM EST
allan costa is a vile disgrace to the human race. he is homophobic and a pothead, things he has openly said on a HuskyCT class discussion board. I, for one, am pretty happy he doesn't normally get to be heard, although given I've heard more of him than I'd like to in a lifetime, I think he's wrong. (Continued…)
Accredited Degree
posted 2/28/09 @ 1:06 AM EST
Guys by your votes you really change the direction the country.
Online Certificate Program
posted 10/05/09 @ 5:20 PM EST
I think the Obama election galvanized many youths that in normal times would not have voted.
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