kia ora

So here it is. I’ve found that with most college students, it’s one or the other: they really care about politics or they really don’t. With this election, though…there’s something strange going on. Almost everyone cares…it’s not necessarily an educated attempt to really consider and thoughtfully care but they care nonetheless. Let me just begin by saying: I REALLY CARE! I like politics in general but the nature of this election is so extraordinary and it just so happens that this is the first presidential election in which I’ve been able to vote. Exciting stuff! So exciting, in fact, that I’ve been nervous about this thing since I sent back my absentee ballot almost two weeks ago. So exciting that I can hardly stand watching CNN today, hearing about people’s plights at the polls and difficulties in getting their vote to actually count.

Something else that’s baffling: For many people across the country today, it may have been easier and less time-consuming to purchase a weapon, commit a crime, and flee the country than it was to vote. For others, it may have cost them 20 minutes and the push of a button. Why is it, then, that some of us care so much about exercising our right to vote (and will, in fact, even sacrifice for it) while others couldn’t care less? Growing up in a household where both of my parents voted in every election that I can remember, I guess you could say I was raised to care. Probably not raised to care quite this much, maybe, but that came later with my natural interest in law, further heightened by my experiences in college so far. Thus, I’m shocked and appalled when I hear that the United States consistently has one of the lowest voter turnout percentages of any developed democratic nation. Honestly, that scares me. We need to care. As citizens of the most powerful nation in the world, we have a responsibility to care.

And so here I am: too scared to turn on the TV yet thrilled that the day is finally here, my vote is in, the wait is finally over…history is being made as I type. Now off to Starbucks to get my free cup of coffee for voting…