Why vote?

Young people need to be shown why exactly their voice matters.

On 7th April a new campaign aiming to get young people to vote was launched. Backed by celebrities like Dara O’Briain and Cillian Murphy, the “Rock the Vote” campaign hopes to buck the trend that sees Ireland having the lowest average voter rate in Europe over the last 30 years. One of the least represented demographics in Irish voter turnout is the youth bracket, comprising of 18-25 year olds.

Clearly voter apathy is a problem Ireland has, especially when it comes to young people. Is such a campaign, however, really the right answer? Are cynical young voters really going to be persuaded to vote by celebrities delivering hyperbolic “hip” phrases like “Rock the Vote”? Will those who feel disconnected or disenfranchised with Irish politics become interested? It is doubtful.

The real solution is to engage with young people, not to patronise them with the sort of language, phrasing and false enthusiasm normally reserved for toy commercials, but to connect with them on a rational argumentative level. Young people need to be shown why exactly their voice matters. The government voted in this summer could be the government that shapes the jobs market that young people will graduate from college into. In a time when thousands of jobs have been lost in the last six months, and the end of the construction industry-dependent Tiger economy is predicted, young people need to ask themselves if they think the current government is good enough to shape their future.

The big issue that should be pressed on young people is Third Level fees. In 2004 the Fianna Fáil/ Progressive Democrat coalition contemplated reintroducing a fee-paying system for college students. This move prompted the largest student protest of recent times and the idea was discarded. Nevertheless, this is not the end of the matter. The question has been raised once again in the run up to this election, notably with the new President of UCC, Dr. Michael Murphy expressing his favour for a fee system to be introduced to increase the competitiveness of Irish education in the world market. From the point of view of an administrator Dr. Murphy’s concerns are understandable.

However from the point of view of an 18-year-old, reintroduction of fees could have serious detrimental effects on their future careers. Put it to Leaving Cert students that their hard work this year to get the courses they want may all be futile. Tell them that the next government may rule out their chances of going to college as parents, even with a means tested grant, may not be able to afford to send their children to college.

Surely pressing these issues on the youth of today is a more engaging way to ensure young people vote?

Of course what should most worry young people, be they in Leaving Cert or their final year, is when this election is held. The Taoiseach has, on several occasions, expressed a preference for a Thursday polling day, arguing that in his mind, Friday voting doesn’t work.

Mr Ahern argues that polling for the 2002 election was low. However, one may point to the relatively high voter turnout at the local elections, held on a Friday in 2004 as contradicting that sentiment. Any given Thursday in May sees thousands of Third-Level students across the country sitting exams, thus eliminating the chance those living away from home will have their voice heard.

However, perhaps the man described by Charlie Haughey as "the most clever, the most cunning, the most devious of them all" could do without the student vote. Maybe, privately of course, the current administration would rather that those concerned with the Ireland of tomorrow, or even those who want to be able to go to college in the foreseeable future, don’t get to vote.

That in itself should be incentive enough for the young people of Ireland to make sure that they are heard. Apathy amongst young people will continue as long as they are marginalised by the current political system and have their intelligence undermined by hollow campaigns. When it comes to voting this summer, don’t be put off by well meaning, but patronising slogans; just do it.

Sign the No Polling on Thursday Petition.

By: Joe Leogue

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