WROCK THE VOTE - The Issues

[Taekia Blackwell]

Midterm elections can be just as important as presidential elections, especially in your own home-towns. Representatives act as our most direct link and voice in the federal government. In many states we are also voting in new state legislature and boards and governors so this is definitely a time to stand up and have your voice be heard and vote to help shape the US.

Over the next month and a half, we are going to be blogging about issues that are close to the HPA and why THIS election MATTERS. But, we'd love to hear from you! Why does this election matter to you? What issues are close to your heart and what would you like to see changed?

Please remember that the HPA is a nonpartisan organization and as such we cannot (and will not) support any political affiliation. Simply put, this isn't about whether you're a democrat or a republican, it's about making the best out of this country and finding the best for its people. So? Let's hear it!

[Dorothy]

Thanks for posting. I take it this may be our next campaign after HPAFTW. This is certainly an important thing for us to work on, because the people elected can have drastic affects on the lives of others. I look forward to the blog posts.

[Max C.]

I'm very curious to see what happens with gay marriage rights - I expect we'll see many changes for the good come November. Actually, I'm very excited for this particular election because it will be the first time I get to vote!!

[Elin]

You'll get to vote? Is 18 the age limit in the US as well?

That's so exciting, Max! I'm so happy for you! Do you have any idea who you'll vote for? (You don't have to say it here, of course, I'm just curious if voting for the first time is as nerv-wracking as it seems :P)

Max C. said:

I'm very curious to see what happens with gay marriage rights - I expect we'll see many changes for the good come November. Actually, I'm very excited for this particular election because it will be the first time I get to vote!!

[Dorothy]

Yes, the age limit is 18 in the US as well. :)

It will be my first time voting as well.

Elin said:

You'll get to vote? Is 18 the age limit in the US as well?

That's so exciting, Max! I'm so happy for you! Do you have any idea who you'll vote for? (You don't have to say it here, of course, I'm just curious if voting for the first time is as nerv-wracking as it seems :P)

Max C. said:

I'm very curious to see what happens with gay marriage rights - I expect we'll see many changes for the good come November. Actually, I'm very excited for this particular election because it will be the first time I get to vote!!

[Elin]

Really? Aren't you nervous?

Also: In Sweden, adults tend to think that young voters don't have enough knowledge and experience to make a mature enough choice. I don't know if that's the case in America as well...

Dorothy said:

Yes, the age limit is 18 in the US as well. :)

It will be my first time voting as well.

Elin said:

You'll get to vote? Is 18 the age limit in the US as well?

That's so exciting, Max! I'm so happy for you! Do you have any idea who you'll vote for? (You don't have to say it here, of course, I'm just curious if voting for the first time is as nerv-wracking as it seems :P)

Max C. said:

I'm very curious to see what happens with gay marriage rights - I expect we'll see many changes for the good come November. Actually, I'm very excited for this particular election because it will be the first time I get to vote!!

[Max C]

Unfortunately, Elin, it kind of IS the case. Until a few decades ago, the minimum voting age was 21, until Ted Kennedy pushed for reform and lowered the age to 18. There are some bigots, of course, who still believe that only adults should be able to vote, and only straight male WASPs (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants) at that.

[Dorothy]

Which I do remember reading about. The main reason that he got it convinced or people wanted the voting age lowered to 18 was that at that time you could be drafted and sent to war and die at 18, but you couldn't vote for the leaders who sent you off. Which is a very reasonable request (especially seeing as I think that they shouldn't be allowed to draft anyone in the first place)

Max C said:

Unfortunately, Elin, it kind of IS the case. Until a few decades ago, the minimum voting age was 21, until Ted Kennedy pushed for reform and lowered the age to 18. There are some bigots, of course, who still believe that only adults should be able to vote, and only straight male WASPs (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants) at that.

[BShrib]

This is the first election that I will be able to vote in as well. I need to figure out how to vote in the state where I go to school though, which is proving to be difficult. I know it's allowed, I just don't know how to go about doing it :0

[joymoonshoes]

Hey,
I'm so glad you posted this! After reading your blog, I checked into Wrock the Vote more and now I'll be volunteering at an event on the 27th where the Remus Lupins are playing!
I'm looking forward to your blog posts especially since the young population makes up such a large part of the voters--if we all banded together to choose what's right instead of going by parties, we could change so much for the better!