Indiana senator wants youth to exercise their right to vote

Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., spoke out in Washington, D.C., last week to encourage young voters to March Across America this summer and increase voter registration. \nIt's one of a series of events being lined up for this summer to get young voters to the polling box in November and to encourage volunteering and giving back to communities across the nation.\n"The character of a nation is defined by its citizens, and today, you have the opportunity to reforge the character of our nation through individual service to our communities and greater voter participation nationwide," Bayh said in a statement. "By exercising your right to vote, you are serving your country and using your voice to help determine the future of America."\nBayh is also working with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., alongside AmeriCorp to promote volunteering and giving back to communities. Bayh stressed the importance of national service and the promising future of America's youth who give back to their country. Both senators have introduced legislation to increase funding to AmeriCorp to provide additional opportunities to young Americans.\nThe March Across America will be held in 15 cities over the summer, and the goal is to actively engage young Americans in the political process.\nThe march is also being sponsored and run by Mobilize America's Youth, a group trying to educate young people on the need for political involvement.\nDavid Smith, executive director for MAY, said involvement from senators in Washington, D.C., is a significant step.\n"On March 24, we began discussions between youth officers and elected officials," Smith said. "It was an intense day up on the hill and we were excited that Sen. Bayh made his way to speak with youth and showed us that he has a high priority of youth voting."\nSmith also said the gap between those youth who volunteer is high, but the number of those who vote is low. \n"The gap between people who service their community is among the highest it has ever been," Smith said. "But the number of those people who volunteer and vote is only around 28 to 32 percent." \nSmith emphasized the misconception about young voters being apathetic and not involved is going to change.\n"We're seeing a complete uprising in youth participation," he said. "I think this presidential election will be unlike any other we've seen in terms of younger voter turnout."\nSmith might be onto something. The press release reported efforts to reach young voters are paying off. Voter turnout in presidential primaries in Iowa and Delaware resulted in a 400 percent increase in voter turnout and a 50 percent increase in New Hampshire.\nThis is coupled with the need to give back to communities and volunteer. Joe Smith, executive director for the Indiana Commission on Community Service and Volunteerism, said the funds that are being introduced in legislation for AmeriCorp in Indiana will help engage young people in getting involved. The ICCSV is the state branch of the national orginization AmeriCorp, and is also responsible for administering AmeriCorp in Indiana.\nJoe Smith said there is a direct connection between getting involved in communities and participating in the political process.\n"We are pushing for involvement. If we get people to see the value in community work, then you are more able to see a connection to the political process," Joe Smith said. "(Young voters) want to get involved locally and make a difference."\nJoe Smith also commented on the apathetic voters and how they are making it difficult to promote democracy in other areas of the world.\n"It's discouraging when young people are not engaged in the political process at home, but we are trying to promote democracy in Middle East. It's frustrating," Joe Smith said.\nAt the rally, which was also sponsored by MAY, representatives spoke with youth members voting and the importance it can have.\n"Democrat or Republican, we are here today to work toward a common goal of encouraging more Americans -- especially young Americans -- to take up their role in shaping the future of our country," Bayh said in a statement. "We need to work together with friends and colleagues from across the aisle to accomplish this goal, in whose success we all share a stake."\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.