RICHMOND —
The youth vote has been said to be a key to the presidential campaign, but younger voters also are taking an interest in local elections.
Madison County has seen voter registration rise rise by more than 1,000 in the past year, and young voters are among that number.
I'm excited,” said Kyle Phillips, a Berea college student who will be voting in his first general election.
“I think (my generation) gets more excited about the presidential race than the local races, but those are the ones that have the true day-to-day impact.”
Phillips, a Berea College Republican, has raised money for candidates such as Andy Barr, who is running for Congress in the Sixth District.
“You really get to see how politics work for you,” Phillips said of his experience.
Although more people have registered, the number of those who are between the ages of 18 and 24 has yet to be determined, said Madison County Clerk Kenny Barger.
The number of young voters who visited the polls locally for 2012 primary is estimated to be more than 3 percent greater than in the 2011 election.
Joe Gershtenson, a professor at Eastern Kentucky University, said he hopes younger people are going to vote in the upcoming election.
Gershtenson led a voter registration workshop for new and soon-to-be voters in October, preparing younger voters on how the election process works.
“A part of these workshops and drives is encouraging these folks to be active,” Gershtenson said. “There is simply a lack of experience and lack of awareness with new voters.”
Barger said new voters should be aware of information such as when to vote, and college students living away from home, should know where they are registered to vote.
Meta Mendel-Reyes, associate professor at Berea College, recently led a group of her students in a voter-registration drive project to raise awareness.
After registering 263 new voters as part of the project, Mendel-Reyes said her goal had been accomplished.
“We wanted to register a high number of voters, but I also wanted them to see the value of voting,” she said. “People have struggled to gain the right to vote, and this shows younger people they need to get out and vote.”
Mendel-Reyes' students also have shown interest in local issues.
The proposed “Fairness Ordinance” has been a big issue in Berea, she said. “But, there is interest. They are reaching out to the candidates.”
The proposed ordinance would ban discrimination against gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered people in housing, employment and public accommodations.
Although campus groups and projects may push registration, students statistically do not visit the polls at the same level as older populations.
“I think younger people don't always want to take the time to vote, and that is where the fall-off is,” said Ben Pasly, a member of the EKU Democrats.
Pasly's group has helped in numerous voter registration drives, and although he thinks they are effective, he's disappointed by the number of people who simply don't want to vote.
“I think there are a lot of misconceptions,” he said. “You wouldn't believe how many people think registering is the reason they get called for jury duty.”
With campaigns such as Rock the Vote, young voters hear presidential candidates focus on jobs and other issues of particular importance to them. But, that is not always translated to local and state elections, Gershtenson said.
“There is a chicken and egg problem here,” the professor said. “If young voters aren't going to the polls, candidates don't want to place their limited resources and time on that group. It's unfortunate, but it's true.”
Local News
Young among the 1,000 new voters in county
- Local News
-
-
‘Etta May’s On Her Way’ for Model Lab benefit
Laughter will fill Eastern Kentucky University’s Keen Johnson Ballroom June 8 when southern comedienne Etta May comes to town for Model Laboratory School’s first annual fundraising event.
Half of the ticket proceeds will be donated to help five Model programs: Scholarships, gifted programs, the arts, athletics and extended field trips or exchange programs, said school psychologist Ellen Rini. -
Court hearing reveals errors in trafficking case’s investigative file
A discrepancy in police records led to an unusual hearing in a drug trafficking case Thursday in Madison Circuit Court.
The attorney for 49-year-old Carla Rae Clontz made a motion earlier this month for a bill of particulars hearing. Both the prosecution and defense attorneys had noticed problems with the file numbers in Clontz’ case, and there also were different reports of the number of pills sheriff’s deputies allege were found in her home. -
Man charged in theft of cash, skates from Sonic
Richmond police charged Isaac Hamilton, 20, of South Killarney Lane, with two counts of theft by unlawful taking under $500 Tuesday after he allegedly stole from his employer.
Hamilton, a former employee of Sonic on Big Hill Avenue, left the drive-in restaurant May 15 with $273.84, a change dispenser and a pair of roller skates and did not return, the business reported to police. -
Grand jury indicts man on DUI, endangerment charges in injury accident
A February car crash in which one person suffered a broken arm led to the indictment this week of an Irvine man on four wanton endangerment charges.
Zachary C. Goosey, 20, was was traveling eastbound Feb. 18 on the Eastern Bypass when his vehicle crossed the median and struck a westbound vehicle stopped at a traffic light, according to a Richmond police news release. -
Judge: Health exchange suit can proceed
Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd will allow a suit challenging Gov. Steve Beshear’s constitutional authority to establish a Health Benefit Exchange — a key feature of federal health care reform — to proceed.
On Thursday, Shepherd denied Beshear’s request to dismiss the suit brought by tea party activists David Adams, Dawn Cloyd and Sarah Durand. -
Board eyes cost-cutting options
In a special-called work session Tuesday, the Madison County School Board looked at ways of reducing a projected $2.84 million draw from its reserves to fund the 2013-14 budget.
-
‘Berea’s Unsung Heroes’
A group of Bereans were honored Tuesday night at the Berea Community School Board, many of which had never been in the spotlight before.
-
Berea relaxes yard sale ordinance, may restrict fireworks
The Berea City Council adopted a new yard sale ordinance Tuesday, but only after it was amended twice.
-
Items stolen, but no one injured in home invasion
Berea police are looking for a man who broke into a First Street home Monday and threatened a resident with a knife.
-
Madison County veterans to host Memorial Day ceremonies
The Madison County Veterans Association, which includes a number of local veterans’ organizations, will be hosting two Memorial Day ceremonies Monday.
The first will take place at the Richmond Cemetery near the flagpole at 10 a.m., and the second will follow at noon in Madison County Memorial Gardens on Berea Road.
Everett King of the American Legion, which is coordinating this year’s events, said U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Sixth District, will be present at the morning ceremony.
Every year the Memorial Day event has a theme. Last year’s theme was honoring Vietnam veterans, King said, while this year’s theme is honoring all American soldiers. - More Local News Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
