SHANNON URTNOWSKI
News Editor
California is making a new name for itself. Bolstering its reputation as the state with the biggest stake in the election, with more delegates up for grabs than any other state, California will participate in Super Tuesday for the first time ever. Twenty-four states will take part in the United States’ largest primary elections on Tuesday, and the 441 Democratic delegates and 173 Republican delegates of California will be dispersed among the remaining candidates.
Eight candidates are still in the race, five representing the Republican Party and three representing the Democratic Party. Each is seeking its party’s presidential nomination, hoping to advance one step closer to the White House.
Members of the Pepperdine community have been gearing up for Super Tuesday, as it plays an important role in deciding the nation’s presidential future.
“It is obviously one of the most important elections in the country’s history, especially in the midst of so many global issues,” said senior Sean De Torres, former president of Pepperdine’s Young Democrats club, about the 2008 presidential election.
De Torres said Super Tuesday will influence how November’s election will shape up.
“It is great how California will be holding elections for both parties,” he said. “It is an important state to be added to Super Tuesday because it represents diversity.”
Brian Newman, a political science professor, said the primary election will influence other aspects of the 2008 presidential election, as well.
“The results of the California primary will almost certainly play an important part in the nomination campaigns, as well,” he said in an e-mail.
Newman pointed out that those planning to vote in Tuesday’s primary election, either for the Republican or Democratic Parties, should note that they will not only be voting for a presidential nominee, but will also be given the chance to vote on several ballot measures.
Though Tuesday’s voter turnout is unknown, some students are already getting ready to head to the polls. Senior Sean Devine, president of Young Democrats, said he has been researching the candidates and issues so that he can make an informed vote.
“Read a newspaper, talk about it with people or ask questions in political science class,” Devine said.
Junior Chris Garcia, vice president of College Republicans, said he hopes people “go out and get the facts.” He said people simply need to make an effort to expand their political knowledge.
Today many are concerned that the youth is not politically aware enough.
“Unfortunately, young people are not as politically active as they could be,” said Associate Professor of Political Science Joel Fetzer. “They are the least politically mobilized group. But, the longer you stay in school, the more politically mobile people become.”
This is not isolated among young voters, however. Newman said it is a problem that the United States faces as a whole.
“Americans as a group are notoriously inattentive and uninterested in politics,” he said. “There are many things that call for our attention every day, and the world of politics can be overwhelming, so many people simply do not or cannot be as informed as they might like.”
Past trends aside, numbers have already shown that this year’s presidential race is attracting more young voters than have participated in past elections.
“This is the year in which students can make an enormous difference — I think they already have,” Newman said, referring to Sen. Barack Obama’s success in Iowa due to the amount of young voters who showed up at the polls to cast their vote for him.
Those interested in voting on Super Tuesday can do so Tuesday between 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. Voters must already be registered to participate.
01-31-2008
