The future of the nation is indifferent. The people who have the most at stake in the future vote the least, while those with the least investment in the future are among the most involved in deciding the future.
Though it is important to have educated voters, comprehending politicians does not require a college degree. Anyone with a basic understanding of English can follow politics.
Most students eligible to vote will be graduates by the time national elections roll around. In 2010 only 13.8 percent of high school graduates ages 18-24 turned up at the booths, yet those 75 and older, also with only a high school education, represented themselves with 35.2 percent.
Those with the same level of education, with less stake in the future, are seeing higher percentages in voter turnout. Even after acquiring advanced degrees, 18- to 24-year-olds only yield 30.5 percent of their demographic, while those 75 and older produce percentages twice as high at 62.5 percent.
The 2008 general elections had 58.2 percent voter turnout, an extraordinarily low number for a developed nation.
The conference Board of Canada gathered voter turnout statistics for the national elections from 17 developed, democratic nations. Of them, the United States ranked 14,  tied with the United Kingdom and above only Canada and Switzerland.
Even this ranking is generous considering how few people vote in municipal or public elections. 2010 was not a federal election year, and voter turnout fell to 41.8 percent, as the U.S. Census Bureau recorded. The census also demonstrates vast differences in percentages of 18- to 24-year-old voters and those 75 and older. At both the national and local level voter turnout for 18- to 24-year-olds is extraordinarily low. In 2010, with issues at a state or local level, 18 through 24-year-olds had the lowest voter turnout of all ages, at only 19.6 percent, with votes from only 13.9 percent of 18-year-olds. Those 75 and older, however, represented themselves with 57.7 percent of their votes.
April 3 is the general municipal Election Day, and the last day to register is March 7. Though it is good for voters to be aware of national issues, local issues often have a greater impact on citizens, and despite presidential primaries, local issues should not be overlooked. Everyone who will be able to vote, and even those who will not, should inform themselves of the local issues so they can make informed decisions in April.
A Columbia School district levy increase measure will be on this ballot. If it passes, it will increase the school levy by 40 cents per $100 of property, raising the property tax rate. The levy would serve to raise funds to maintain staff and pay for operational costs of the district, in a nutshell.
A Columbia School district bond measure will also be on the ballot. The measure would issue a $50 million bond to pay for school construction projects, renovation, upgrading facilities and equipping projects in the district. This would also raise the debt service levy by 12 cents to pay for the bond.
These descriptions are mere summaries of the bills. Each bill has the potential to provide many more facilities and resources to the district. The bills may also improve overall function of CPS. But without knowing how the money is being used, we might completely waste these funds.
These bills have a heavy bearing on high school students. They influence students’ educations, thereby impacting their futures since local government has a greater impact on school issues than does the national government. It is vital not only for students to bring greater turnouts in elections but also to vote on local issues.
By The Rock Staff