Next year, the United States will have a new president, and college students have the opportunity to have a say in who it will be.
Most college students have strong opinions about at least one important national or world topic. Marquette students are no different, as reflected in the many campus clubs and groups that come together regularly to work for specific changes. Voting in this year's primary elections is one of the most influential and significant ways that students can have an impact and turn their passions into results.
According to The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, 47 percent of America's 18-to 24-year -olds voted in the 2004 presidential election.
While this was an increase from the previous presidential election, it is inexcusable that not even half of college-aged students participate in this great privilege that many other countries' citizens do not have.
Voting is in the primaries is just as important as voting in the final election. As a college student and eligible voter, being educated for the primary elections is just as significant as showing up at the polls. Every student should be researching the eight Democratic and nine Republican candidates. These 17 people are all potential leaders of our nation, and we have the chance to decide which one it will be.
In the age of the Internet, we are extremely lucky to have such a research tool. Information about each candidate's views are at our finger tips. With such a simple way to find out about candidates, every voter should be knowledgeable about the issues, values and perspectives of the potential leaders.
The primaries are coming up fast and it is crucial that each person votes with knowledge of what he or she is voting for.
Once candidates are researched, find out when the primary date for each specific state is. The dates are ever-changing, so students should keep updated. Wisconsin's primary election date is currently set to be Feb. 19.
People can complain all year round about what is and isn't being done by the government. If a person didn't participate in the election process that our country fought hard to achieve, they really don't have the right to complain.
Earn the right to complain by becoming educated with the candidates and issues, finding out the primary election dates, registering and showing up at the polls in 2008.