November election has yet to excite many students at Youngstown State

Those 18 to 24 vote less often than older people.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Steve Rowe of Cortland, a 19-year-old Youngstown State University sophomore, has no interest in voting in the November presidential election.
"It doesn't seem like my vote really matters," he said. "I might register, but I probably won't vote. I don't stay up on the issues enough to make an informed vote. I don't like the views of conservative Republicans or liberal Democrats."
If Rowe were to vote, he'd support President Bush, the Republican nominee, but he doubts he'll cast a ballot.
Rowe isn't alone.
Studies show that those 18 to 24 have the lowest voter turnout of any age group. During the 2000 presidential election, 42 percent of those 18 to 24 in Ohio voted, compared with 68 percent of those over age 25.
That was better than the national vote in 2000 for those age brackets. In 2000, 37 percent of those 18 to 24 nationwide voted, and 64 percent of those 25 and older cast ballots.
Though The New York Times reports that surveys show voter interest among those 18 to 24 is on the rise, a recent visit to YSU showed that for some students, there is more interest in who will be named the school's homecoming king and queen than in the presidential election.
Javon Snipes of Youngstown, an 18-year-old freshman, said the presidential election isn't important to him. He has not registered to vote -- the registration deadline is Oct. 4 in Ohio and Pennsylvania -- and has no plans to do so.
Other opinions
If he were to vote, Snipes said he would support U.S. Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic nominee. The reason? "He's a Democrat, and my mom's a Democrat. If I voted for George Bush, I'd get kicked out of my house. Politics doesn't interest me."
It doesn't hold much interest for Robert Trammell of Warren, an 18-year-old freshman, either. But like Snipes, Trammell listens to his mother.
"I'm not really interested in politics, but I'd vote for Kerry 'cause my mom says so," he said.
When asked about Bush, Snipes said: "He's all right."
Snipes said it is way too easy to register to vote, so he signed up but may not go to the polls. A short distance from where Snipes was talking to Jen Stefanko of Warren, another 18-year-old freshman, two men working on behalf of the NAACP were getting college students to register to vote.
Unlike Snipes, Stefanko is definitely planning to vote in November. She is supporting Kerry.
"If Bush gets re-elected, I hear he'll start up the draft again, and that's crap," she said. "I don't think the war is necessary. It's not our business. If Iraq doesn't want a government set up, it's not our business to be there. I will vote for Kerry because he's for more things that I agree with, such as being pro-choice."
As part of an ongoing series, "Chief Considerations," The Vindicator is talking to various sectors of the Mahoning Valley population to gauge their support and interest in the presidential election. In previous installments, the newspaper spoke to military veterans and business owners.
War and economy
Cassondra Wilson of Leavittsburg, an 18-year-old freshman, said she'll support Kerry. But she isn't thrilled with her choices.
"I don't like either one of them, but Kerry's the lesser of two evils," she said. "Bush made some bad decisions with the war in Iraq. I don't like the way Bush has handled the war."
Most of the students interviewed for this article said the war in Iraq was their No. 1 issue, followed by the economy.
"The economy is going to hell, and Bush isn't doing anything to help it out," said Chris Vargo of Hubbard, a 19-year-old freshman. "I think the war in Iraq was necessary, but I don't think we should be there anymore."
Anthony Palestro of Hubbard, also a 19-year-old freshman, said he's voting for Kerry because he's in the Air Force Reserves and is concerned that he'll be called to active duty if Bush is president for another four years.
"Bush is trying to hide all his mistakes by dragging us into this war," he said. "I haven't really followed Kerry. But seeing what President Bush has done so far makes me want to not vote for him."
But Bush has supporters at YSU.
"I really think Bush handled Sept. 11 the best he could," said Kyle Daley of Mercer, Pa., a 20-year-old sophomore.
"Kerry doesn't have the strength to support this war, and it needs to go on. We're in there for a good cause. Look at Iraq's problems now compared to five years ago ... Bush is a strong leader."
Another issue
Chris Matlin of Cleveland, a 20-year-old sophomore, also supports Bush.
"He has the troops' best interests in mind," said Matlin, who was in the Coast Guard for about three years until last month. "Kerry flip-flops, and that isn't right for a commander-in-chief. I don't think Kerry is for us. I think he doesn't have the leadership to take this country in its fight against terrorism."
Jason Cole of Kinsman, a 20-year-old freshman, said he doesn't support either candidate. Bush took the country into a war for the wrong reasons, and Kerry changes his mind on important issues, Cole said.
Cole plans to vote in November, but probably will not cast a ballot in the presidential race.
For Rob Schuller of Mercer, Pa., a 21-year-old sophomore, his decision is based on one issue.
"I'm an out gay man on campus, and I'm going to vote for Kerry because of civil marriages and unions," Schuller said. "I want equal rights for same-sex couples."
Kerry opposes gay marriages but supports same-sex unions.
"Bush is against both," Schuller said. "I'm as liberal a Democrat as you can get."
skolnick@vindy.com