An amateur's guide to voting

I’ve never considered myself to be a political person. Elections come and go, and sure, they’re exciting for a hot minute, but then the fuss dies down and nothing really changes.

Maybe I have a hard time, because I don’t understand anything about the economy. I mostly just rely on Anderson Cooper to let me know when it’s up and when it’s down. Then I get to shake my fist at Congress when things are bad and applaud President Obama when they’re good.

So when it comes to voting, I really have to do my research. This entails glancing at a candidate’s website for five minutes, but that probably yields a more informed decision than most of the voting populace.

But even after mulling over the platforms and all the political jargon, there’s something I value above all other extraneous details.

Who is the person or party I’m voting for? Who are they as people? Are they self-righteous jerks with an unfeasible agenda and a power complex, or are they relatable, intelligent, trustworthy folks?

This, of course, is all about image, which I realize is a media-ready brand concocted by people to appear likeable. Regardless, I still want a politician’s image to be something I can relate to.

So in the upcoming IU Student Association elections, the tickets can spout all the rhetoric they want at me. At the end of the day, I’m still going to vote for who I think has my best interests at heart — the dependable people who don’t seem like cold, distant politicians.

I want to vote for students to lead a student government. Student government is not a business, and I don’t want a bunch of suits acting as a voice on my behalf. I’m not a suit. I’m a student. I don’t need to be versed in politics to understand that.

That being said, platforms still matter. As a student at this University and a voter, you need to be as informed as possible. Do your research. Ask questions. Get to know the tickets. Find out what they stand for, what they want this University to be and who they are as people.

Chances are, somebody reading this column won’t vote in the IUSA elections. I don’t blame you. There was a time when I wouldn’t have voted either. Because I was what everyone assumes I am, which is an apathetic college student with little to no regard for public leadership. But I’m growing up, and I’ve come to realize I have a duty to contribute to the public sphere.

Politics is never going to be my passion, and it doesn’t have to be. What I do have to be is informed. Your voice is not going to be heard by the powers that be unless you vote for the people that best represent you.

So demand excellence and responsibility from your leaders. Unless you personally plan on running for student office, they’re your only hope.

­— wdmcdona@indiana.edu