According to CIRCLE, the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, 47 percent of eligible Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 voted in the 2004 election. This is up from 40 percent in the 2000 presidential election.
With so much focus this year on getting younger Americans involved, the Collegiate Times thought it would be interesting to see how popular athletes felt about the race. Both as students and as a general consensus of our generation, athletes are put on a pedestal. From football to track & field, male and female athletes were asked a variety of political questions.
"I'm probably more conservative," said Brett Warren, starting outside linebacker for Tech's football team. Although he did not vote in the last election, he is registered in Virginia for this one and will be voting absentee. He noted that taxes and gun control were important issues to him. "My family is just more Republican, to be honest," Warren said. "And, especially in Virginia, people want to have their rights when it comes to things like gun control." When asked whether he was decided among the candidates yet, Warren promptly replied, "McCain."
"I actually had a huge conversation or argument, really, in the locker room about this yesterday," Warren said, although he does not consider himself to be all that into the political scene.
There is some political diversity in that locker room, however.
His defensive teammate, Victor "Macho" Harris, was still undecided. Also, in contrast to Warren, Harris would not consider himself either more conservative or more liberal. "Definitely the health care," Harris said when asked about his most important issues for Tuesday. "Health is always a main, main issue. We just want everybody to be healthy and to get the type of medical support that they need."
Harris, the starting cornerback, has also watched the presidential debates over the last several weeks, but did not feel as though they helped him make his decision because he did not know what to believe on either end. "It's politics, you know -- I don't really buy into stuff like that because you've got flaws on both ends and you've got strong points on both ends."
Harris voted in the last election, but declined to comment when asked for whom he actually cast his vote. He is registered in Virginia for this election and plans on voting on Tuesday. He is leaning toward one of the candidates, but again declined to comment on whom.
Starting free safety Kam Chancellor has no question in his mind who he is going to vote for. Although he considers himself more conservative overall, he is voting for Democratic nominee Barack Obama.
Chancellor staunchly agrees with Obama's health care plan, which is one of the main factors in his decision. "It sounds like he has a good plan for us, a good change," Chancellor said.
In addition to watching the debates, Chancellor also caught the Al Smith Dinner Party special which featured Obama as more laidback.
"He was being a comedian and stuff and he just had a good sense of humor," Chancellor said.
Women's soccer standout Laurie Beth "LB" Puglisi, a forward in her senior season, had viewpoints more similar to Brett Warren's.
"Overall I'm more conservative," said Puglisi, who is registered to vote in Blacksburg for this election. Although unable to watch the debates live because of soccer commitments, she looked up the results and watched them online.
Her deciding factor this election was the candidates' stances on taxes, health care, and the war in Iraq.
"I like both candidates," Puglisi said. "I just agree with McCain more and I think he's a better leader for our country overall. I think Obama is a great man, just not as president ... I'm voting McCain."
Women's track & field hurdling-specialist and Olympian Queen Harrison was very enthused when questioned about the election.
As neither a Republican nor a Democrat by name, Harrison said, "I wouldn't place myself in either category actually. I'm a little bit of both."
In addition to the ever-popular health care issue, Harrison was passionate about yet another.
"Something that is very big in my eyes is education and the quality of education -- things like the quality of teachers and everything from their pay to the policies like No Child Left Behind.'"
Unlike Macho Harris, Harrison enjoyed the debates and thought that they made a big impact on her decision. "I think the debates give you a sense of how the candidates, or possible president, would have to think in very heated situations. Just the job in general is a lot of pressure, but with everyone watching you and your job being based on how you respond to certain questions, I think you get a sense of a candidate's real character in the heat of the moment."
Harrison is registered to vote in Virginia and has already sent in her absentee ballot. She declined to comment on who was checked off on that ballot, however.
"I just want everyone to vote, whether you're a Democrat or a Republican," Harrison said. "I think the biggest thing in this election is getting more people to come and exercise their right to vote, especially the youth and college students."