Start acting like a citizen; register, research and vote

It was George Washington or P. Diddy who once said, “Vote or die!”

While the prospect of getting capped by a rapper or a dead president may be more motivating than a free “I voted” sticker, for most people it’s still not enough incentive.

“I want to vote, but I really need to learn more,” said Patty Blankenship, a mechanical engineering major at Gonzaga University. “I’m still hesitant to say or believe that my vote will matter much. It seems like what (the candidates) do is more a reflection of who’s supporting them (financially).”

According to the Federal Election Commission Web site, voters ages 18 to 24 traditionally have the lowest turnout in federal and state elections, with only 32 percent of those registered voters showing up at the polls in 1996.

“I think it’s sort of indicative of the time we live in,” said Sandy Paine, vice president of the League of Women Voters of Spokane. “There’s so much going on. I think a lot of students are so busy … they forget about how important it is to vote and how important it is to be informed and to study the issues.”

Paine said many voters are turned off by political corruption and the influence of special interest groups. However, Paine said young voters often are motivated to become involved in voting once they realize how the issues affect them.

How the issues affect your life

For starters, let’s talk about the draft. While the war in Iraq drags on with no end in sight, a lot of politicians are talking about reinstating the draft. This idea may seem good to you, or it could scare the snot out of you. Either way, you need to find out what the candidates are saying about it.

According to the “Rock the Vote” Web site, the average college graduate last year walked away $18,900 in debt, up nearly $8,000 from five years ago. And that could seriously deplete your PlayStation reserve.

There are a lot of issues to consider, from jobs and health care to gay marriage and the war in Iraq.

Chances are, most of these issues will or already are seriously affecting your life. If you don’t like the policies local and national politicians have been cramming down your throats, it’s time to put down the videogame controller and the nachos and do something about it.

Politicians – and voters – often forget that “we the people” hire and fire the leaders. And this November, their jobs are up for review by the most powerful bosses in the world: you.

How to get started

First, if you haven’t already, you’ll need to register.

But you must be at least 18, not convicted of a felony (or at least had your civil rights restored), and not be in prison.

You can fill out a form in person at any manned fire station, public library, public school administration office or state agency office. Forms also are available at the Spokane County Elections Office, 1033 W. Gardener, and at the Kootenai County Elections Office, 315 W. Garden Ave. in Coeur d’Alene.

Be prepared to answer all kinds of tough questions on the form, such as what’s your full name and whether you are male or female.

And two minutes later, you’re registered. It’s easier than sleeping through chemistry lab, and there’s a lot less drooling involved.

If leaving the house is too much effort on your day off, you can download and print your voter registration form from www.rockthevote.com, www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/ register.aspx or www.idsos.state.id.us/elect/voterreg/ vtr_reg.htm.

Of course, it will cost you 37 cents to mail it, but at least you won’t have to miss out on the latest episode of “Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire’s Toupee.”

In order to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 2 election, you must register in time; the deadlines depend on which state you live in. (See graphic for dates.)

With minimal effort on your part, you’ll be ready to fight the power come November. But remember, registering doesn’t help if you’re not actually going to vote.

As P. Diddy or Abraham Lincoln once said: “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”