2012

OCTOBER 2012centerspread8 THE PONY EXPRESS 9centerspread

How to Register to Vote

57.9

Politics, Anyone?

INDECISIONResults of the 2012 Presidential Election will affect both students and their families. Students share their input on this year’s candidates, voting, and campaigns, as well as voter information and a list of the nominees

of Gaither students who cannot vote

this year wish they could.

of Gaither students are elligible to reg-

ister to vote in the 2012 Elections.

9.9

The following graphs and statistics are based on the results of a survey taken by 719 Gaither High School students. The students chose which of the stated political issues was most important to them and answered questions about their voter status.

Student StandpointCampaigning and the media have tremen-dous impacts on everyone’s political opinions. Gaither students express their thoughts on the 2012 Presidential Race, candidates, cam-paigns, and student voters.

“ I usually get information from my family because parts of my family disagree so I’ll hear both sides, good and

bad.”Farah Renshaw, senior

“We need to hear more of what they [the Presidential candidates] want to improve.”

Rachel Cazares, junior

“The campaign ads [are] very neagitve. Most of them either

full of half-truths or just bla-tant lies.”

Edward Cabellero, junior

“It will affect me because if Mitt Romeney wins Obamacare won’t be around anymore and

Obamacare has a big impact on me as a cancer patient, so I

need my insurance.”Chaz Fermin, senior

Prerequisites

In the state of Florida, you must be eighteen years of age on or before election day, however you may register before-hand.

You must be a citizen.You must register with a party if you want to partake in

primary elections, caucus, or convention.You must be registered at least twenty nine days before

election day, the party’s primary election, caucus, or con-vention.

Where to Register

Eligible citizens can register to vote by mail using the Na-tional Mail Voter Registration Form available at the Depart-ment of Motor Vehicles, Voter Registration/Election Offices, or from the usa.gov website.

You can also register online through presidentialelection.com.

“I’m tired of seeing Romeny versus Obama commercials pop up.”

Charles Buford-Suber, fresh-man

“I care most about unemploy-ement.”

Candace Santiago, freshman

“The political issue I care about most is the national debt

because we are in a lot of debt and if it was reduced it would

help a lot.”Jamie Ilsemann, sophomore

“I worry about health care because I want to make sure

I’m safe.”Jason Cheung, sophomore

Election day is Tues, Nov. 6, 2012

Presidential race initiates political discussion around school

With elections just around the corner, both Republicans and Democrats are pushing to get citizens to vote.

Being an election year, students and teach-ers alike are eager to see the results and how it will impact the school.

“We will have to see how these elections will impact the school, different presidents, differ-ent agendas, different legislations going down the pike, we don’t know (the outcome) just yet.” said American government teacher Teresa Trumbach.

Students, like sophomore David Rivas, are getting excited about the upcoming elections.

“To me, these two sides have their own ideas on how to run this country. It’s great to me how people can pick and choose who their want to run the country.” said Rivas, “As a minor, I can’t vote at all but my voice and what I have to say can be heard at school or in my community. By talking to people about campaign and politics, it could really impact a person on their vote and by them talking to their families, it becomes a big impact.”

According to Human Geography teacher

Catherine Paunov, the incumbent is currently ahead in the polls, but only by a minuscule per-centage.

“Right now at this point, the president’s ahead, but there’s still quite a number of days and there’s always an opportunity to slip up.”

Florida, being a swing state, which is a state in which no single party has an overwhelming advantage in the Electoral College votes, makes it an important factor in the 2012 elections.

“The elections are definitely going to hang on the swing states: Ohio, Wisconsin, Nevada, Florida, Pennsylvania. The blue and red states are set, but there are a number of what I call the purple states, like Florida, and that’s where the election is going to be won or lost,” said Pau-nov, “Notice how much time the politicians are spending here in Florida.”

The elections can, however, impact schools in general.

“Education is key to America and what’s important to raise test scores in schools, like Gaither, and getting a better learning experi-ence in the classroom.” said Rivas.

Some students believe that it is important to Story by Kevin Sardja

Sahar Takshi/Pony ExpressRachelle Mourra and Emily Charlow/Pony Express

Students and teachers get involved in elections to aggregate political interests

10.2 of Gaither students find maintainance

of infrastructure the least important politi-cal issue.

%

of Gaither students have already reg-

istered to vote.3.9%

of Gaither students plan to vote in the

2012 Presidential Elec-tions.

4.3%

%

%

vote if given the opportunity. “Well voting is a right and obligation to

every citizen in the U.S.” said Rivas, “It is im-portant to because we are voting for the person who is going to run our country and bring us the right promises and policies that will bring this country back on its feet.”

Sophomore Lars Slobodow agrees, voting is an obligation for U.S. citizens who want change.

“If you can vote, you need to vote, regard-less of the party you stand for. It’s not only your right but it’s almost an obligation,” said sopho-more Lars Slobodow, “if you don’t vote, you have no right to complain.”

Even if students cannot vote, there are still a number of ways minors can still get involved.

“You can volunteer at your local precinct and help out on Election Day, another is to volunteer at your party’s local office here in Hillsborough, help arrange people to make it to Election Day,” said Paunov, “and especially the old fashioned door – to – door campaigning.”

Voting is officially open on Nov. 6.

Emily Charlow/Pony Express

Statistics and surveys courtesy of Sabrina Olivier, Drake Wikstrom, Camila Acosta and Sahar Takshi.