For months and months, we've been inundated with talking points and predictions and polls and pit bulls. Now the election is here and it's time for us to actually take part in the process.
For many college students, myself included, this is the first chance to voice an opinion in a major election. Among young people, apathy has become a common and frightening trend - even at UB, it's tough to find those willing to get involved in the political process.
While there may be a slew of College Democrats and College Republicans, how many of these activists will run for office in the Student Association this spring? No one even bothered to challenge the current administration in the spring election.
Maybe this election season will inspire at least one person to be more active. And hopefully more young people will be motivated to get out and vote, no matter which candidate they choose.
The fact that we live in a state that almost certainly going to give all of its votes in the Electoral College to the Democratic Party shouldn't discourage you from voting. By casting your ballot, your voice is heard, even if it may seem like a whisper in New York.
When you go out to cast your vote, hopefully you will have done your homework and made a decision you can stand behind. Hopefully you've looked at each candidate's platform and based your choice off of their stand on the issues and not something superficial like race or age.
Hopefully those headed to the polls will have more on their minds than those mostly trivial details. Even though voter apathy, as well as the ultimate outcome of the election will be impacted by race, people who are informed and educated should make an effort to ensure it remains miniscule in comparison.
The Bradley effect, which is used to explain discrepancies between exit polls and the actual results, is said to be the key component when it comes to the issue of race.
According to an opinion piece in Sunday's Washington Post, the idea came in 1982 when Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley lost to state attorney General George Deukmejian in the California governor's race. Bradley, a black man, held a solid lead in the popular polls on the night of the election.
While Barack Obama may be leading the polls now, it's unclear how the Bradley effect may impact this election. Even though the Washington Post piece is ready to banish the "urban legend," it's no secret that people will take social pretenses into the booth with them.
If a voter decides to not vote for Obama, hopefully it will be because they feel that John McCain is the better option, not because of race or religion, but because of social, economic and foreign policy.
Despite who you vote for, be confident in your pick. The right of suffrage is one that Americans have fought long and hard to achieve and shouldn't be taken lightly.
Whether you've sent your absentee ballot or you plan on heading to the polls on Tuesday, you're making yourself a part of the process. By not voting, you're keeping yourself out of the loop.
The expectations for voter turnout are high. Hopefully, those saying they'll vote don't come down with a Bradley effect-like reason not to.
And hopefully, their confidence won't be broken when it's time to pull the lever because of an inconsequential thing like race.
For months we've been barraged coverage of this political heavyweight bout to the point of exhaustion. Now that we've entered the final round of the fight, make sure that you've had your say, no matter which candidate you've decided is the right choice.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
