REGION: Young adults tuned in and ready to vote
By TERI FIGUEROA - Staff Writer | ∞
Cori Marte took notes as she researched ballot measures in preparation for Tuesday's election. (Photo by Teri Figueroa - Staff Photographer) First-time voter Rachael Cleavenger has got a lot on her mind.
A single Vista mother with a 5-month-old daughter, the 20-year-old Palomar College student depends on MediCal and worries about health care.
Her daughter's father is a former Marine with three war zone deployments behind him, and she worries about future deployments for their friends.
And as she moves closer to finishing her speech pathology program at the school, she worries about the job market.
"This election has become personal for me," Cleavenger said Monday. "Now that I have a daughter, my views are not selfish. I think of her and her future. This election could affect her."
Young first-time voters such as Cleavenger said they are eager to participate in a historic election. For weeks, politics have dominated their conversations in coffeehouses and classrooms.
On Monday, Cori Marte carried around a well-thumbed-through ballot guide. The 19-year-old Oceanside resident has researched ballot issues, and kept handwritten notes on her findings in a binder. At the top of the first page, she has written: 2008 My 1st Vote!
"I carry it with me everywhere," said Marte, a Palomar College student. "I've been talking to anybody who will talk about it. I want to know about the issues from all sides."
For Christie Yorke of Vista, 19, her first election is as scary as it is exciting.
"It's stressful. There's a lot of information out there," the student said Thursday at MiraCosta College's Oceanside campus. "But this election is historic. It's important for me to get out and vote. I didn't feel that way in the primary."
Asked about their interests in the upcoming election, many students at local community college campuses pointed to California's most controversial ballot measure: Proposition 8, which seeks to define marriage as only between a man and a woman. If it passes, it would change the state constitution to ban marriage between same-sex partners.
Yorke is doing more than voting for her first election. She volunteered her time.
On Thursday, the brunette was seated at a table at the school, handing out information urging people to vote no on Prop. 8. About 20 feet away, two Yes on 8 supporters had set up their own table.
Students and passers-by generally stopped at one table or the other. Not many stopped at both.
One young woman shouted, "Get a life!" as she passed by the Yes on 8 table. A day earlier, observers said, one person stopped and began yelling at the woman seated at the "Yes on 8" table. Eventually, campus police had to stop by throughout the day to keep the peace.
Like many of her peers, Palomar student Marte is most concerned about Prop. 8. She has a relative who is gay.
"It is immediate and personal to me," she said, adding that she wants to see it fail. "If it gets voted down, maybe he will be more comfortable in his own skin."
For bespectacled blond teenager Vladimir Staples ---- who said he is "really anxious" about the ballot measure ---- Prop. 8 served as the catalyst to register to vote.
The 19-year-old Palomar student is gay. And he said he will vote against the measure.
The San Diego office of the League of Women Voters said they have spotted an increase in the number of first-time youth voters.
"In the last eight years, it was like pulling teeth trying to get young people to vote," said Jeanne Brown, vice president of administration for the local league. "It was like they felt disenfranchised. It was very discouraging.
"But this time," she said, "that has changed."
Brown credited the Barack Obama campaign with reaching out to youth by using Internet sites such as YouTube, noting that for younger voters, "It really speaks to them."
Hot debates about the election have crept into college classrooms, some said, as well as into everyday chats among friends. Three female basketball players ---- all of whom are recently registered voters ---- who play for Palomar College said their team's drive back from an Orange County game this week was punctuated by a feisty debate among teammates.
"It was the most heated conversation," said Carlsbad resident Ali Congini, 19, adding that discussions of state propositions on marriage, treatment of animals and teenage abortion drew the most emotion.
Congini's basketball teammate, Oceanside resident Liza McRoberts, said she heeded her mother's wishes and watched all three presidential debates. The 19-year-old MiraCosta student came away ready to vote for John McCain.
"I think young people have to vote," McRoberts said, her long blond hair pulled into a ponytail as she chatted with friends between classes Thursday, "because we are going to be running the country in a few years."
Many of those questioned said that when their parents talk to them about politics, it gets inside their head. The teens may not agree, but they do listen.
"At my home, it's very political," said Lauren Turner, 18, of Ramona. "Mom's a liberal, Dad's a raging conservative. I registered to vote. Now I get my say."
Contact staff writer Teri Figueroa at (760) 740-5442 or tfigueroa@nctimes.com.
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Surprise People who receive from but dont pay taxes wrote on Nov 3, 2008 9:11 PM:Are voting for Obama! Stop the presses! ...
A few years from now the headlines will be "Atlases Shrug: Businesses, capital, and ideas flee the US for places where they aren't taxed to death to pay for workers who think they are owed a living."
Oh Boy wrote on Nov 4, 2008 6:10 AM:Surprise People who receive from but dont pay taxes--What did you say?
Habla Ingles?
Lets see wrote on Nov 4, 2008 6:50 AM:We have babies when we are single with little income so we are going to vote so we can get a handout. What is she going to do if the handout doesn't come? Once again taxpayers pay for ignorance. Quit school and have more kids. I spent 6 years in the Navy and although my wife and I wanted kids we held off until I got out and got a job where I could support them. I guess we were stupid. Come on people support yourself and quit relying on other people because of your ignorance.
Just look wrote on Nov 4, 2008 7:49 AM:who is voting for Obama. Think everyone who works taxes won't go up? His 250 thousand will be down to 30,000 to support all the free loaders who elect him. So much for Self reliance, responsibility and accountability. Socialism here we come!!
FREE GAS wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:42 AM:Free gas, free grass, free pass in the new People's Socialist Republic class.
Ain't it great! P.S. We won't have to work either.
Marine Wife wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:01 AM:Okay Navy guy! What do you think this single Mom is trying to do? She is going to school so she can get off the government programs and give her daughter a better life! Sounds like you are the ignorant one! You need to slow down before you start judging people!
Minnie Mouse wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:07 AM:I for one think young people should not be allowed to vote. They don't have enough experience to make a wise choice. That is clear from the fact that most of them are voting for Obama. Plus most of them are against traditional marriage. Raise the voting age! Preserve American Traditions!
McCain/Palin 08
Could Be Worse wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:08 AM:At least she's going to school and trying to better herself for the future. She could be one of those lazy career welfare mothers lounging on the couch popping out kids & eating bon bons.
To Marine Wife wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:34 AM:She put herself in this position and now votes hoping someone will help. Ignorance is getting in this situation. This isn't some third world country. Everyone has excuses and tries to justify the actions, By doing that it happens more and more. Stop bringing kids into single family households or households that can't afford it. It is not acceptable expecting others to pay for your actions!
More like GOOFY wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:42 AM:Don't let young people vote?! That's ludicrous! Young people are just young. That doesn't neccessarily mean they don't have experience. And what do you want them to have experience in? So do you think someone should be able to vote only after they have retired and their kids have moved out of the house? You say "traditional marriage" meaning what is intended in the Christian Bible. Our Nation should not discriminate against lesbians or gays. We should all be equal under the law. Sounds like they should not allow the older people the right to vote because they are way too closed minded!
OBAMA/BIDEN 2008! Better start dealing with it!
To Minnie Mouse wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:45 AM:You're right ... we should just leave it up to all the brilliant people who voted for Bush ... TWICE!!!!!!
Look Squid wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:00 AM:The government assistance programs are in place for a reason. They are there to help out people in this single mom's situation. How do you know if she was being "ignorant" when her daughter was conceived? You should be so lucky you have never had to ask for nor needed government assistance. Be greatful for that instead of being so quick to judge those who are not so fortunate!
To Look Squid wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:21 AM:OK, point taken. But I had to work 2 jobs and go to night school to get a degree but did it. Never expected anything from anybody. Still don't. When does it stop, when the country is bankrupt? When does personal accountability happen? Why so many citizens on welfare and "aide" yet so many illegals can find work? Why do we have to import educated people for our high tech and drug companies? Crime increases in single parent neighborhoods. WHY? People need to wake up and saying it is OK isn't getting the problem fixed. It is not OK to expect someone else to pay for your decisions! The Social experiment over the last 30 years isn't working.
Single Parent Neighborhoods wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:51 AM:Social services debate aside, will somebody please tell me what/where a single parent neighborhood is? I was a single parent once and no one ever told me there was zoning for that kind of thing. Granted, I was the only single parent I knew of who lived in my neighborhood. Maybe I just didn't get the memo?
This is Disgusting wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:53 AM:First off, I know an amazing woman who made it through college (on welfare and huge scholarships from our alma mater) as a single mom of two boys. She's now a United States Congresswoman and wildy popular. Secondly, it doesn't matter if you are young or old, people want change and that's why they are voting for Barack Obama. My 85 year-old grandfather is voting for him and against Prop 8. I voted the same way and I'm 23. You people are certifiable and think that helping the less fortunate is socialism. I bet you also pass homeless people with a car full of groceries and don't bother to give them some fruit or water. Maybe you should be less worried about voting and try to grow yourself a heart.
Obama/Biden 2008
Confused wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:35 PM:If you help somebody, you are know as a bleeding heart Liberal Socialist etc. etc. If you don't believe in helping anybody, you are know as an efficient Capitalist and only have the interest of yourself and the economy at heart. I guess that would make Jesus a Liberal Socialist etc. etc., yet so many Capitalists pray for his good fortune to be placed upon them so Capitalism can further thrive. Sounds like Charity vs Greed here...
If you wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:41 PM:want to give, GIVE. It should not be mandated by the government! Also all you against personal responsibility and think it's OK to have kids at 20 with no visible lines of support, how come 20 million illegals can find work and support themselves but many citizens can't? Why? Because handouts are to easy because guys like Obama and Biden buy votes with them. If you make a wrong decision learn and move on. Not cry and whine voting for the person who will give you the most.
Karl wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:47 PM:Minnie Mouse @ 10:07 AM:
Dude, the youth are the future of this Country. If you disagree with their vote deal with it. Us good parents have raised our kids and let them go.
Karl wrote on Nov 4, 2008 1:16 PM:This is Disgusting @ 11:53 AM:
I applaud your friend. As a single parent many years with one boy I was very fortunate. I had a well paying job with flexible hours and family and friends nearby that helped me raise my son. This is why I contribute as much time and money to poor single parents as I can. That being said, there is something wrong with the theory that throwing money at the impoverished is the answer. We need to get all people who are able working not only for their personal benefit but for the benefit of all of society. I am assuming that you are voting for Barack because you think he will help all the "little people". Think again, IMHO Mr Obama is part of the political machine that perpetuates the homeless and poor by simply giving them just enough to subsist. I truly hope that Barrack can and will change the future for not only some but all that have fallen on hard times. The only problem with this theory is that it has been promised in the past by the Democrat Party many times only to garner votes and drive a wedge between the wealthy and the poor. I would hope that you can see this. Until we as a nation vote in a legitimate 3rd party the Democrat and Republican party's will continue to have a strangle hold on all of us.
I hope that you are right and I am wrong but as a senior citizen I have seen this all to often to believe it is anything but a ploy to garner votes.
This post is also addressed to you "Confused @ 12:35 PM.
Peace
Get over it wrote on Nov 4, 2008 1:56 PM:I can't believe this positive article about first time voters became a platform to bust on a single Mom! We don't know why she is a single Mom. Where is the former Marine Father? Who knows what happened in this unfortunate situation. So you know what I say? GET OVER IT! Focus on what is important and don't judge this girl's life!
Terrific wrote on Nov 4, 2008 3:32 PM:It's great that new voters are excited about voting! Let's enfranchise them NOW so we can have a better America when they reach their 30s and 40s. ROCK THE VOTE!
Greg in Oceanside wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:02 PM:We've heard the rhetoric and promises from the American Idol candidate Barrack Obama.
And, the youth and feel-good adult's are voting Democrat for their candidate because he's promised to "take" from us the hard-working taxpayers and wants to give (pay) those who have their hand out. Obama is also going to build big government and ultimately a 'welfare state' where the have-nots are going to get 'theirs.'
I'm thoroughly sick and worried about this country and the embrace of socialism. Pathetic, utterly pathetic.
To Greg wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:53 PM:Alternatively, we could just have another 4 years of Bush. That would be good ... right?
Face it, there was no one good to vote for ... yet again. The republicans can thank both Bush and Palin for this election failure. He's an idiot, she's a nightmare and McCain supported them both. Where else did people have to turn?
Ali wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:06 PM:I dont play for Palomar College, I play for MiraCosta College....
I along with my teammates were hoping you could fix that please.
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