-- See video of why students voted at the bottom of this page --
On Election Day, a record number of young voters told their government they were ready for change.
National exit polls showed 66 percent of young voters cast their ballots for President-elect Barack Obama and 32 percent for Sen. John McCain, according to a report by CIRCLE, a nonpartisan organization that conducts research about the political activity of young Americans.
An unscientific poll conducted by The Orion showed Chico State students surveyed preferred Obama to McCain 70 percent to 27 percent. Third-party candidates received the remaining 3 percent of student support.
The Orion's poll, which surveyed 226 students in the days following the election, found Chico State's voter participation rate was more than 80 percent, much higher than the national average.
Shedding the stigma of apathy
An estimated 24 million people ages 18 to 29 voted on Election Day, according to CIRCLE. The turnout represents a 2.2 million increase from the last presidential election.
Journalism professor Aaron Quinn said it is difficult to determine a specific reason for the increase, attributing it to possibilities including the missteps of the current administration and Obama's charismatic speaking style.
"It's a symbolic election. A person with African-American roots has been elected president," he said. "But, substantially, the outcome means that people have placed a higher value on issues such as diplomacy and tolerance, instead of wielding power and being forceful."
Sophomore Taylor Dwyer thinks the overall vote was influenced by Obama's ethnicity, rather than his policies and background, she responded during the survey.
"He was tied with so many radicals and no one cared," the kinesiology major said.
During the two-year campaign, questions arose regarding Obama's various affiliations. Critics pointed to his preacher, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright; radical civil rights activist Bill Ayers; and Tony Rezko, a man indicted on corruption charges by a federal grand jury. Obama has repeatedly responded, saying the relationships were less serious than critics said.
Other McCain supporters reconciled with the loss in a different way.
Although senior Elizabeth Sturgeon, an English major, didn't cast her ballot for Obama, she was proud American citizens could put their differences aside, come together and participate in the democratic process, she responded in the survey.
What lies ahead
The economy, the war, alternate energy sources and health care were among the issues most important to Chico State students, according to those surveyed. Those who voted for Obama exhibited excitement about a change in how America is perceived worldwide, citing the precedent this election has set.
Many who reported voting for McCain said they did so for reasons regarding taxes.
One of those students was Jared Meyer, a graduate student studying political science. He was concerned with Obama's economic policies and said they exhibited characteristics of socialism, a claim heard throughout the campaign, he said in the survey.
"The problem is, everybody feels that they are entitled to other people's money," he said.
Supporters of the president-elect, such as senior Becca Samaan, a global humanitarian peace and justice studies major, celebrated the victory but remained wary of Obama's ability to maintain the high level of voter confidence, she said during the survey.
"I just hope he can hold up to everyone's expectations," she said. "He is coming (into office) at a tricky time, between the war and our financial crisis."
Quinn, who teaches "Public Opinion and Propaganda," said people have such high standards for Obama because he has placed himself at that level.
"Then again, the Bush administration has already set the bar really low," he said. "This is an opportunity (for Obama) to show the effects a president can have."
Megan can be reached at opinioneditor@theorion.com
Video by Eder Diego
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