The youth of this country have almost always been underestimated and disregarded by those holding sophisticated political roles.
The majority of students and emerging adults of this country are viewed as uninvolved and out of touch with the real world, and when a young person is crossed displaying success within the political realm, they are patronizingly looked down upon as naive, unrealistic children.
I have always contained an abnormal interest in politics - from the actual Constitutional promises to the seemingly bland protocol of our government.
Up until recently, I have felt alone in my politically-active efforts. This November's election; however, contains a weight that is felt by more students and youth than I have ever witnessed or that my mother has ever witnessed. Even my grandmother speaks of how audacious our generation has become in the Republican and Democratic campaigns.
Obviously, we are more involved because we want to be because we hold a genuine passion and interest in our country and in our futures. We are no longer the mindless zombies we were once associated with who merely voted according to parental, community or peer preferences and influences.
This election, we have shown a definite and undeniable want to vote. For so long our age-group has taken its ability to vote and has thrown it away, causing a monotonous whining from our father generation, encouraging us to get involved. Now we're doing it: we're getting involved. We're reacting to our parents' ostensibly fruitless attempts and looking to our community for assistance.
Ball State University students make up an enormous part of both Muncie and Delaware County's community, and for the first time in an incredibly long time we are displaying a want to partake in community issues, and our election board is actually taking into consideration that turning their backs on the youth by not setting up some form of early voting facility, ensures a difficult, frustrating and even more confusing Election Day.
My pertinent question towards the Delaware County Election Board, more specifically Bill Bruns, pertains to what they're trying to accomplish by not helping us.
Before arriving in Muncie, I had the raw understanding that our community elders wanted us to get involved and that they actually gave a damn about my opinion.
Recently; however, I have doubted that Delaware County really cares as much about Ball State students as much as the students have expressed toward Delaware County and this nation.
Fabricated "road blocks" from Bruns, degrading and tactless insults from Kaye Whitehead, thoughtless speeches from Robert Burgess. All we want to do is vote - something that has contained an ominous overtone in recent community politics.
I am baffled as to whether the student body and its judgment intimidate these people or whether they just want fewer voices to be heard in the next election.
It is a certain fact that a considerable portion of students really just won't have time to vote on election day; they're faced with situations similar to only having an hour between class half of which they spend on the dependable MITS busses, only to face a two hour-long line.
We need early voting because it is necessary for every voter who wants to cast their ballot to have their chance, and they deserve that. Our community needs to back up its citizens - all of them, regardless of whether they are students. We are finally showing that we care about Delaware County; and therefore, Delaware County needs to step it up and start caring about us.
Jessica Mahanes is a freshman majoring in journalism and writes 'A Liberal Dose' for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.
Write to Jessica at jlmahanes@bsu.edu
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