By Jon Parton
With so many national news stories about the presidential election, it can be easy to forget about local elections and their importance to the community. In addition to voting upon locally elected officials, voters often decide on other important issues such as increases in taxes and local initiatives like the light-rail plan.
Although Jasmine Couch, student, plans on voting in the fall election, she admits that none of the local candidates are familiar to her.
“I haven’t heard of any,” Couch said.
In addition to the national presidential election, JohnsonCountyvoters will be deciding upon the candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd Congressional District. Voters will also choose a number of state races, including state senators, state representatives, and district judges.
Local elections can often have a greater impact on communities than national elections. The candidates chosen for local offices such as city council and mayor can decide upon important issues that directly impact cities and counties.
Local officials govern what contracts can be made, how law enforcement policy is carried out and where road improvements will be done. Zoning laws determine where people can live and where business owners can set up shop.
Student Katie Reintjes said that she doesn’t keep up with political candidates in Kansas.
“I don’t know any of the local politicians,” Reintjes said. “I live in Missouri.”
The smoking ban initiated by the college was first brought up in the Student Senate last year. According to the United States Census Bureau, only 45 percent of all eligible Kansas Nick voters actually voted in 2010.
Across the country, a little more than 16 percent of voters aged 18-to-20 voted in the 2010 elections. Comparatively, almost 59 percent of voters aged 65 and older voted that year.
According to research done by the Center for the Study of the American Electorate atAmericanUniversity, voter turnout among young people is expected to drop sharply in the 2012 election. This is in sharp contrast to the 2008 presidential election, which had the highest turnout of young voters since 1960.
Nick McCoy, student, said he plans to vote on Election Day.
“A lot of people sacrificed their selves and their rights so I could have the right to vote,” McCoy said. “So I feel like it’s my responsibility to vote at least for somebody, even if they’re not going to win.”
McCoy said that while he was familiar with the candidates for the presidential election, he was less informed about local candidates and state races.
“Honestly, local candidates have not had a lot of exposure,” McCoy said. “I wish they had more advertising because I would like to hear what they have to say.”
Contact Jon Parton, news editor, at jparton@jccc.edu.