Dear Editor,

In the 2004 presidential election, roughly 60 percent of the eligible voting population turned out to an election that had a popular vote margin of 2.4 percent. Voter turnout among those aged 18-24 was under 50 percent.

I find it especially disturbing that a larger percentage of my generation watched the last Super Bowl and voted in “American Idol” than voted in one of the closest elections of recent history. Given the importance of voting to the American political process and the appallingly low turnout among college voters, encouraging voter registration on campus is a worthy cause.

Unfortunately at Loyola, this cause has been mixed with campaigning. For the last several days, a table in the Danna Student Center has had posted side by side Register to Vote and a sticker featuring a portrait of Sen. Barack Obama with the caption “Geaux-bama,” as well as passing out fliers for students for Obama.

As an undecided voter who takes seriously both Obama’s and Sen. John McCain’s campaigns, as well as that of the third parties, the message of this table was disheartening.

I believe the voice of every citizen needs to be heard in order for the election to be truly representative of the American people.

As members of the Loyola community, a community committed to social justice, we should be encouraging everyone to take part in the upcoming election and separate our campaigning from our commitment to encourage our peers to make their voices heard in November.
Sincerely,
Jason Straight
history junior