Although the general election candidates appear to be solidified, voting in the primaries is still very important, especially for college-aged students.

Because Rick Santorum exited the presidential race last week, Mitt Romney is the likely Republican nominee to face President Barack Obama in the November presidential election.

For many students, voting in the 2012 presidential election is their first time voting because of age requirements. The primaries serve as an opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with the system.

Once students learn the procedures from voting in the primaries, voting in the general election will be much simpler. The machinery and system for voting will not be a concern, and students can focus on casting the ballot for the candidate they think is best for the position. This also applies for students who will have to use the absentee ballot system for the primaries and the general election.

For students from states whose primaries have already passed, paying attention to the other primaries can foster new perspectives. Students can see how elections work in other states and see the issues with which other states are concerned.

For students who still have upcoming primaries, now is the time to check in about voter registration and the absentee ballot voting systems. The absentee ballot voting systems vary state by state, and students must be informed about how their home state operates.

A large number of young adults turned out for the 2008 presidential election, but their involvement has ebbed since. If young voters begin to vote more consistently in elections, including the 2012 primaries and general election, politicians running for office will be forced to be more receptive to the concerns of the young adults. 

Published on April 16, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact: opinion@dailyorange.com