- Republican Candidate Mitt Romney
- President Obama
BY ELLIE STRANG, Editor
Election time means the voting booths will swell with hopeful and eager voters ready to help determine the next president of our country.
President Barack Obama and Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney have been campaigning hard for their parties, trying to show that they will be of greater benefit in the White House than the other opponent.
The people listening to what the candidates have to say are not only Kaneland teachers and staff, it’s the new voting generation as well.
Last election, 53.1 million voters registered were of the ages 18 through 21, and only 41 percent of them voted, according to census.gov.
Each generation of teenagers has its own unique qualities, and each generation also has its own idea about voting and their responsibilities about paying attention to politics.
This election may or may not help boost the voting percentages in that age group, but at least they have the attention of a few Kaneland voters.
“Everyone who’s of age to vote should pay attention to politics because those are the people who run our country,” said senior Frank Blanche.
Turning 18 is the first step into adulthood and a time when life comes with a little more responsibility. The question is, whether or not this new group of teens will step up to the voting booth as history teacher Lynn McHenry hopes.
“As a government teacher, and who I am, I firmly and strongly believe that voting is a responsibility, as much as it is a right. All votes matter,” McHenry said.
Every vote is accounted for and makes and an impact, even though that impact may be small, on the success or downfall of the candidates.
The turnout for young voters will hopefully increase this election, and many of them will hopefully be from Kaneland High School.
“I trust that students will be sensible and make the right decision and vote,” said senior TJ Foley.
Yet again, the race for the presidency is on, and America must choose between the two parties and the men that represent them.
