Fresno County targets young adult voters
The November election is expected to have a record voter turnout and Fresno County wants to make sure the youngest voters don't get trampled in the rush. We write about the effort in today's editorial.
The elections department is hard at work at reaching underrepresented groups, and the editorial board met with Victor Salazar and some folks from The Rios Company on Monday to talk about their plans for encouraging young people -- especially minorities -- to register and vote. The professionals are joining forces with several groups of young people who already are working well together: Barrios Unidos, Californians for Justice, the kNOw and the Boys and Girls Club in Pinedale.
I like their strategy to teach the young people to take the lead in this effort. The opportunity is ripe. Never have there been issues that more affect young adults' lives, beginning with the war in Iraq. If you want to help out, contact Angie Rios by clicking here.
Comments
Great, register as many uninformied, naive, poor, non-taxing paying youth as possible so they can vote for the candidate promising to raise taxes on the top 5% of earners in order to redistrubute income to the lower classes either through "middle class" tax cuts (with an unrealistically low definition of middle class) or social programs. Isn't that really how democracy works nowadays? Barack wants to take the lid off social security taxes for those making over $250k to shore up social security. He knows that most people will support him on that issue since they will not be financially affected. This is one of democracy's great flaws; a majority eventually realizes they can tax the productive minority in order to redistribute their wealth.
Posted by: Paul O'Rourke | July 16, 2008 6:40 PM
Given the level of education that many young folks in Fresno have, perhaps they should make up a borchure with pictures, so the young voters can look at them and get some idea of the process, can one truly believe that the can read well enough to understand complex issues?
To place the war in Iraq at the top of the list concerning young voters is STUPID. Might one think it more important to get an education, find a job, get a home?
When did adults stop teaching Civic Pride and Moral Responsibility to the younger members of society.
Next, we will be offering a 'Happy Meal' as a bonus for registering to vote.
Posted by: RobDeFrees | July 17, 2008 2:15 PM
It is great that there is a drive to get young people of color to turn out to the polls that will be driven by youth. It truly shows that our youth are not apathetic and ignorant of issues but on the contrary , ready to step up and be leaders in the community, state and country. If you were to actually talk with any of the young people involved you would be hopeful and proud of the young leadership growing in this community. Great work!
Posted by: Gina Rodriguez | August 7, 2008 2:03 PM