Killing the youth vote

Say goodbye to early voting this fall. Actually, don’t count on it in 2012 either. The Republicans’ top election priority: eliminating voting opportunities.

Last week, the Monroe County Election Board (primarily board member Judith Smith-Ille) rejected the opportunity for Bloomington residents, including students, to vote in satellite polling sites for the upcoming general election.

And if Smith-Ille’s decision wasn’t enough of a jab in the gut, Monroe County Clerk Jim Fielder supported her vote, claiming satellite voting for IU wasn’t necessary because of historically low turnouts at five on-campus sites.

Evidently, neither Smith-Ille nor Fielder read their own local papers.

In 2008, early voting turnout reached record-setting proportions in the primary and general elections. More than 10,000 people were registered to vote before Nov. 3 and almost 7,000 of those voted in satellite sites.

It’s no wonder why “historically low” turnouts in precincts occurred. People voted when it was convenient for them.  

One would imagine that Republicans would pounce on the chance to garner more votes in an anti-incumbent year. Their fear-driven ad campaigns cupped with the no-vote policies in Washington have only overshadowed their primary objective to restrict voter opportunity.

In Indiana alone, polling locations are only open for 12 hours (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.), providing little to no time for middle and lower class voters and students to make it to polling precincts.

Not only do minutes matter to this demographic, but if voters did try to cast their ballot, the unfamiliarity of the process will shun them away from contributing to the process. Discouragement will hinder any chance for that person to be involved in local and national politics.

It’s the most sly and conniving way to win an election. But instead of campaigning on a platform, local Republicans are cutting down any opportunity possible for the average voter.

Republicans know that because of busy schedules and unfamiliarity with the city, students will not wait in line. Also, the Right knows the middle-class workers will only have their lunch hour to vote at their precincts. They are betting on long lines and voter fatigue to help tip the scale in their favor.

So while national GOP candidates like Todd Young urge political activism, they are counting on local political figures to help rig the election in their favor.

This decision will place elitists in the advantage for the next four years. Unless there is a change of heart, there will never be another record-setting year for voters. Young voters will lose interest in politics because they are cornered into abiding by the confining rules placed for them. In a world where political leaders stress youth involvement, local community leaders are tearing us down before we try to jump on board.

To Judith Smith-Ille and Jim Fielder: Shame on you! Shame on you for blocking accessible voting to residents and students in Bloomington. You will be portrayed as ignorant partisan leaders who chose to worry about party agenda instead of community involvement. And I hope you realize this does not make you a community leader.  

E-mail: dreander@indiana.edu