How many of you *are* or know young voters?? How many of them are actually registered to vote? Do they realize that voting is not only a privilege, but a responsibility and an obligation??

I watched a *documentary* that Drew Barrymore did on MTV about why young people (18-21 mostly) don't vote. Although there were many questions left unanswered, I've tried to get my kids to watch it.

Anyway...........I was surprised at how many kids, including kids *I* know, aren't registered to vote because *they don't have the time to go someplace to register*.

Among the many places you can register to vote is the MTV website. Choose or Lose

If you can't get to it there, go to mtv.com and click on *Choose or Lose* on the right side of the page, and follow the instructions.

I just think it is SOOOOOOOOOOOO important to get registered and get the votes out there! One of the things Drew Barrymore focused on was that the politicians *cater* to the issues that the voters care about. If the voters are all middle aged, then the politicians are going to cater to the issues those voters are concerned with.

If you're a young person, or know a young person who's not registered to vote, but is unhappy with the way things are, the only way to call attention to the issues that are important to YOU is to make yourself heard and vote. Change doesn't happen overnight, but you have to start somewhere!

By Andi on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 09:26 am:

Well said Karen!!!

By Kernkate on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 09:32 am:

Very well said Karen, I just sent out DS's Tom who is away at college absentee ballot.
As he said he can't be home for elections but his vote does count, so he wanted an absentee.

By Boxzgrl on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 09:44 am:

I've been registered to vote since I was 18 and I *finally* got DH signed up to vote. Most everyone I know is registered and will vote but I guess that happens when your in a military community.

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 12:33 pm:

BUMP!!!!!

By Emily7 on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 12:37 pm:

BUMP.
It is so important!

By Kay on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 01:09 pm:

Kathy,
Thanks for reminding me about the college kids - I just called to have the absentee application sent to me since I'm going to see both of them this weekend. They're excited to be voting in their first *presidential* election.

By Amy~moderator on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 02:53 pm:

Mike and I are already registered.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 06:10 pm:

I'm already registered and have been since I was 18. I have a friend who has never voted for anything. She is my age (44). I can't believe it!

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 06:53 pm:

Dawn, my mom is 74 and she has never registered or voted in her entire life either. Her excuse was she *didn't want to be called for jury duty*! ?!?!?!?!? Well, she had a driver's license so she was called numerous times. She usually managed to get out of it. I got fed up with her about 8 years ago and told her if she wasn't going to vote, to stop complaining........and she has, at least to me.....LOL!

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 10:04 pm:

bumping one more time.............

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 11:28 pm:

Wow, I can't imagine not voting!

By Karen~moderator on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 07:48 am:

Neither can I, but it's surprising how many apathetic people are out there..........just roaming around...........too caught up in their own little lives to be bothered...........until it's time to complain about something. GRRRRRR! This is really a hot button with me!

By Palmbchprincess on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 12:30 pm:

Nate and I are registered. This is the first time he has registered, he was out of country for the other presidential elections. (he's 26!!) so he's pretty excited.

By Christylee on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 09:18 pm:

I have a question, I know I'm registered but I don't know where my little card is. Do I HAVE to have it to vote? Is it just 5 days for everyone, I want to hurry up and get DH registerd... We have the Presidential debate and listening to it has me all the more determined to make my vote count!

By Kaye on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 09:50 pm:

No you don't need your card, just your driver's license!

By Christylee on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 09:58 pm:

Thanks!