2008 Presidential Election Reactions

Huddled closely around a TV, a group of USF students anxiously anticipate the announcement of the next president. Emotions are high and the students are tense, why? Because they were finally able to vote.
This years presidential election had a significantly higher turn out of young voters by 6% according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. The youth vote (voters ages 18-29) is believed to have had the biggest impact on the outcome of the election with 68% of voters in support of Barack Obama and 30% in support of John McCain.
For many students this was the first year they were able to vote, and for the first time many they felt their voice was heard. “I think we did a good job! We surprised everyone since the youth vote failed last time,” says Graphic Design major Maia Olmstead. Olmstead believes that it is important, for young people especially, to vote when the country’s future looks bleak. Communications major Amy Miller felt that her voice made a difference in this election as well. “Everybody’s ready for a change. I was just happy that the election wasn’t rigged and Sarah Palin has no say in my future,” says Miller. Both first time voters, Olmstead and Miller agree that America has progressed in electing an African American male to office.
Communications major Nisha Dixit declares this election the election that changed history. “I voted for the first time and I am proud to say that my generation made history. This will be an election I will always remember,” Dixit says. Politics major Jessica Reihanifam was also excited to take part in history. “Hell yes I voted! I am overjoyed that I got to vote in a time like this,” says Reihanifam. However, Reihanifam was disappointed in the voter turn out. “A lot of people registered, but a lot of those people didn’t actually vote. If they had voted, then issues like Prop. 8 would have had different outcomes,” says Reihanifam.
English major Erica Lowe was not able to vote because she failed to register on time. “I’m f***ing ecstatic with the outcome of the election, but I deeply regret not registering,” Lowe says. Lowe admits that she was in tears when Obama was announced president and will definitely vote in the next presidential election. Business major Derrick Mazariego was also not able to vote due to failure to register. “I regret not registering to vote, all my friends did and I was the only one who didn’t,” says Mazariego. However, he is more than content with the outcome of the election and says he will vote in the next election.
History major Alex Fields was surprised by the number of young voters, however he does not think it was for the best. “All these young voters have not lived long enough to know what this country needs,” Fields says. He says that he was disappointed with the outcome of the election and believes that young people should not be allowed to vote. International and Business student Marika Schwekendiek wishes that she could have voted in this election. Wearing an “Obama” t-shirt, Schwekendiek explains that she is not an American citizen because she is from Japan, but she would have voted for Obama.