Get out the vote!

Approaching the polls of Precinct 15 at Wilson Hall, it was made clear that it was Election Day. Election signs for candidates and proposals lined the courtyard of South Complex speckled with students handing out pamphlets on the candidates.

Rock the Vote had a table set up outside the east side of the dorm with a sign asking ‘Confused About Voting?’ dispersing more information about who, what and how. From the outside of the building it didn’t seem that too many had turned out to vote during mid-afternoon. Once I entered the building the line stretched down the hall, from the polls to the doors, almost reaching outside.

It was a sea of students. Everyone that I saw was college aged, even the volunteers. To me, it was a very surprising turnout. Most were there with a voting companion and chit chatted about their days donning the color of their party, red or blue, since supportive apparel is not allowed. Sample ballots hung throughout the line and cafeteria workers manned a table of beverages and cookies.

As students exited the polls they proudly stuck their ‘I voted today’ stickers on their shirts and some went crazy with multiple stickers. The vibe and mood conveyed at the precinct was excitement—excitement to vote, maybe for the first time; to be a part of history; to make a difference.

However, as a stood around observing I overheard two girls walking past the line, one asking the other, “What are all of these people in line for?” Completely oblivious and ignorant to the fact that it was Nov. 4, 2008, Election Day!

I was so disgusted and appalled for someone to ask that. What American or resident of this country does not know about Election Day? Especially in a year when a black man and the oldest man are running for president and there is a women vice presidential candidate.

How someone could be so ignorant shocked me. I was also so shocked that someone could be so sheltered from the world around them. The students of this campus have been inundated with information about getting out the vote, the candidates, rallies, counter rallies, a visit from Barack Obama himself, stories in the campus newspaper along with other media outlets and even Facebook.

I am proud of all the students that I saw waiting to cast their vote and the proud looks on their faces to be an American and get out the vote.