Two years ago this week, it seemed as though the entire nation descended on DU for the first presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney. The weeks leading up to the debate provided a compelling scene with large fences separating the campus from the rest of the city. Greek Life was suspended for fear of creating a national security threat, and students were being asked the same question they are today: “Are you registered to vote in Colorado?” We loved the attention, and many of us responded by casting our votes. But with the cameras off and the celebrities gone, DU students won’t be nearly as invested in this election.
True, the midterm elections are the uglier “step-sister” to presidential elections. At first look, the midterms don’t appear to carry as much weight. Yet, even without presidential candidates on campus this year, the midterm election in Colorado still has serious implications on a national level.
President Obama’s plummeting approval rating has opened the door for Republicans to take control of the Senate. Our state is one of five whose Senate race factors into such a Republican victory – one that would yield control of both Houses, and a more significant policy voice. The Colorado race, one that pits incumbent Senator Mark Udall (Democrat) against Representative Cory Gardner (Republican) remains too close to call entering the final month of the campaign. Our “youth” vote could tip the balance one way or the other.
Do DU students care about this election? Probably fewer do than should, and history isn’t in our favor. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, far fewer adults vote during the midterm elections than presidential elections, and our age group is no exception. For example, in the 2012 presidential election, 41.2 percent of U.S. Citizens between the age of 18 and 24 abandoned Netflix long enough to cast a ballot. By comparison, only 21.3 percent did so in the 2010 midterms.
Worse, with marijuana legalized, college students in Colorado don’t have a compelling referendum for which to vote.
Finally, we’re woefully under-informed. If asked about the differences between Mark Udall’s and Cory Gardner’s respective policy platforms, most students would resort to a description of party rather than issue differences.
Can we wake up in time? It isn’t enough to have voter registration booths outside of Sturm and email reminders encouraging (but more times badgering) students to vote. Students need to be “sold” on why their vote matters, and there’s been a lack of effective salesmen on campus.
Two years ago, we didn’t need to be sold. It was a presidential election, we were better informed, and, yes, we understood the consequences. We had two photogenic, articulate spokesmen for their parties on campus, and we were completely invested in the election and its outcome. We are less fortunate this time around.
Although today’s situation may be different, Colorado is still a swing state and the outcome of this midterm election still carries meaning– much like your vote, if you decide to exercise it.
