On the Street

Ryan Rutter, Young voter
"I absolutely think so. It’s one of the biggest question marks and variables how motivated or excited the young generation is, and whether or not they’re going out to vote. I think in many respects the young vote is a more emotional vote on a lot of topics, such as our place in the Middle East right now and the economy. It really is going to be a networking vote, people talking to each other, getting really excited and going out there and talking to other people. So, there’s no doubt in my mind that the young vote is critical. The more people we have excited about a vote, learning about a candidate and the process, the better."

Rob Shuler, Young voter
"I think it is going to be very important. It is based on emotion because we’re so young, so we don’t know the longer term view on what certain situations will bring up. I think a lot of younger people are starting to become more informed about the process, and the different issues and how they stand. I’ve voted once before. I think young voters may have been apathetic in the past, but now with the avenues of media I think we are connected and trying to get a lot of the information that’s out there. So we know what’s going on. I think upbringing and family backgrounds will influence political views, but I also think there’s a mass of information out there for young people to make sound decisions. "

Amy Jackson, Young voter
"I believe the youth is going to have a bigger role than what people give us credit for. As a full time student at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, I have witnessed firsthand all the different clubs and organizations day in and day out setting up booths to get more and more students registered. I believe it has impacted them enough to pay attention to the election more so than if economy was doing better. Overall, I know that when I go to vote I am only one person, one voice, but with my fellow classmates and friends we are hoping together we can all be bigger people and a bigger voice so that we can finally see the change this country needs."