The presidential elections that took place on November 4th, 2004 produced results that were satisfying to some while miserable to others. Teenagers supported the candidates based on whether the candidate was democrat or republican, pro-war or anti-war, conservative or liberal, etc. Not having the right to vote as of yet, most teenagers were not directly involved in the elections and therefore remained largely indifferent toward the voting polls. However, many still formed ideas about the election and the candidates from various sources such as family, friends, school, and the media. At informal interviews at Townsend Harris High School and Queens College, some students commented and expressed their views about the elections.

When asked how she was affected by the election, a junior in high school, Wendy Y. answered, “I'm mad because Kerry would've raised the minimum wage. Just because we’re younger shouldn’t mean we have to be paid so little. Our bosses work us like slaves but pay so little in return. It’s just not right.”

An eighteen year old college sophomore at Queens College, Bisma Nassar, who voted democrat, said “I figured that people would vote for [Bush] because Americans felt he had a stronger control of terrorism, and that his policies were stronger but if they researched the policies, it would have been different…”

Andres Garcia, another junior in high school commented, “What is the point in two millionaires running for office, pretending to care about what happens to the average American? All they want is the power of being the President while we get caught up in their path to becoming celebrities. None of them have any right to represent the American people. We might as well have Donald Trump running.” This student was infuriated by the types of candidates that the American people have to choose between because he doesn’t think any of them are qualified.

Lastly, Priti S., also a junior in high school, responded when asked how she will vote when she is of legal age, “When I’m 18, I’m going to vote for the candidate with the right issues and not just be swayed by what media drills into my head.”

Evidently, although teenagers may not be able to vote, they are still capable of forming intelligent views about politics based on ideas gathered from personal sources. So next time elections come around, don’t think that it’s not worth paying attention to because believe it or not, it will affect you one way or another. Our elected officials, whether they are presidents, senators, governors, or mayors, all control what’s going on in this country. Education, wages, welfare rates, social security, medical benefits, etc. all affect our lives at one point or another and these are the people who decide the outcome of these issues. If you want to change something then the only way to do it is to get involved.

YOU can change the world.

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