Voter Turnout is Higher Than Ever
By Liz Boyd
This year’s race for the presidential election has been one for the books. Not only are there a woman and a black man running, voter turnout has been much higher than in previous elections.
One reason for this turnout could be the use of social networks on the internet such as Facebook and MySpace, said Dennis Patterson, associate professor of political science at Texas Tech.
Patterson said this voter turnout by younger demographic groups has been one of the most interesting topics of discussion amongst those in his field of academia.
“College students and voters around that age are really coming out to the polls in 2008,” Patterson said. “This generation needs to keep in mind that they have the power to change the political face of America by exercising their right to vote.”
Patterson said as a political science professor he is excited to see young people getting involved in the election process, and he said it reminds him of his generation during college. Patterson was in college during the 1970s.
The increase in turnout has been with the democratic primaries, Patterson said, because there is a real battle going on between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Patterson said social networks such as Facebook and MySpace, as well as campaign Web sites, have been integral in getting younger voters to the polls.
“The use of the Web has been on the rise with campaigns,” Patterson said. “These sites help attract voters, but more than anything, they have helped campaigns raise more money than ever before.”
Patterson also said Web sites and online campaigning help get the word out regarding candidates to those Americans who would not normally have access to this information.
Stephanie Thompson, a senior public relations major from Lubbock, said she surfed the Web consistently before she decided who to vote for in the primaries.
“I think the internet is a very useful tool when it comes to the presidential candidates,” Thompson said, “especially for our age group. If you put something up on facebook, of course college students will be interested.”
Thompson said her friends use Web sites to defend their vote, and also to energize others to vote the same way.
But, Thompson said she does not always trust the information she finds on the Web.
“I don’t think you can ever be sure something is true unless you hear it straight from the candidate,” Thompson said. “I think along with what you see on the internet, it is essential to watch the televised debates.”
Matthew Wilson, a senior advertising major from Grapevine, said he has really noticed an increase in student involvement in the 2008 election.
“Particularly with Obama, you are seeing a huge college-age following,” Wilson said.
Wilson said he thinks some of this student involvement is due to celebrity endorsements of candidates.
“For better or worse, I think some students have been getting involved due to celebrity presence in the political scene,” Wilson said.
Student involvement has been fueled by a more “popular culture politics,” Wilson said.
Wilson said he is excited to see student enthusiasm, but he said he thinks it is important to seek a variety of opinions and information before deciding who to vote for.
Katrina Lollar, a sophomore education major at South Plains College, said she has joined several groups supporting John McCain on Facebook.
“I think it is a great way to join together for who you want to see in office,” Lollar said. “I think students would be more involved anyway due to the nature of this election, but social networks definitely help.
Lollar said she is excited to see who her generation elects into office.
Steven Lunsford, a junior radiology major at South Plains, said he looks at Facebook and MySpace postings simply to see who is joining what groups.
“I never actually join the groups, but I think it is interesting to see what is going on with them,” Lunsford said.
Lunsford said he thinks students are more involved in this election because more and more students are working to pay for college, and Lunsford said with heightening gas prices and other financial issues, many students feel they can relate to policies the candidates are proposing.
“Eight years ago our generation looked so different,” Lunsford said. “It is interesting to see such a shift in support of candidates by college students, especially at Texas Tech.”