"An Eternal Revolution", The New York Times
By Orlando Patterson, November 7, 2008
"Youth Vote May Have Been Key in Obama's Win"
MSNBC News, By Melissa Dahl, November 5, 2008
Every American can see that the results of the recent election changed the country. It will forever be a part of the nation's history and will cause a change in America. Certain groups stepped up and made an impact on the results of this election. Groups that have faded into the back in past elections and historically, didn't even have the right to vote.
The editorial by Orlando Patterson describes the impact of these groups and how they played a significant role in Barack Obama's victory. The groups that he talks about are African Americans, women, and young people. I think that young people played a huge role in this election and were a major factor in the final decision.
Historically, young Americans have had a difficult time when it comes to voting in elections. Before 1971, you had to be 21 years old to vote. The voting age was lowered to 18 through the passing of the 26th Amendment. This was during the time of the Vietnam War, which ended in 1975. Before the Amendment was passed, many 18 year olds were drafted to fight in the war. However, even though they fought for their country, they still weren't allowed to vote for the leader of their country. One of the reasons people think the Amendment was passed was due to the anti-war protests led by young people during the war. "The idea [of the 26th Amendment] was that people who were old enough to be drafted into the military should have a say in the selection of the civilian government that determines when and how military force is used."
In more recent history, young voters have lacked in number when it comes to voting at the polls. The percentage of young people who turn up to vote has been low in past elections. However, those numbers have gone up dramatically in the most recent election. Young Americans took an interest in the 2008 election and the candidates because they knew that the results would affect them in years to come. This year, 18-29 year
olds were a deciding factor in the election-- "Young voters may prove to have been the key to Barack Obama's victory. Young voters preferred Obama over John McCain by 68 percent to 30 percent — the highest share of the youth vote obtained by any candidate since exit polls began reporting results by age in 1976."
The editorial by Orlando Patterson describes the impact of these groups and how they played a significant role in Barack Obama's victory. The groups that he talks about are African Americans, women, and young people. I think that young people played a huge role in this election and were a major factor in the final decision.
Historically, young Americans have had a difficult time when it comes to voting in elections. Before 1971, you had to be 21 years old to vote. The voting age was lowered to 18 through the passing of the 26th Amendment. This was during the time of the Vietnam War, which ended in 1975. Before the Amendment was passed, many 18 year olds were drafted to fight in the war. However, even though they fought for their country, they still weren't allowed to vote for the leader of their country. One of the reasons people think the Amendment was passed was due to the anti-war protests led by young people during the war. "The idea [of the 26th Amendment] was that people who were old enough to be drafted into the military should have a say in the selection of the civilian government that determines when and how military force is used."In more recent history, young voters have lacked in number when it comes to voting at the polls. The percentage of young people who turn up to vote has been low in past elections. However, those numbers have gone up dramatically in the most recent election. Young Americans took an interest in the 2008 election and the candidates because they knew that the results would affect them in years to come. This year, 18-29 year
olds were a deciding factor in the election-- "Young voters may prove to have been the key to Barack Obama's victory. Young voters preferred Obama over John McCain by 68 percent to 30 percent — the highest share of the youth vote obtained by any candidate since exit polls began reporting results by age in 1976."
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