Last year, one message was beamed at our generation: vote. We heard it from celebrities, politicians, campus leaders, family members and friends. We were told over and over again that this moment was our chance to prove all the naysayers wrong and to show that we're not suffering from a collective apathy that threatens our futures and the future of America. While the numbers were not quite the optimistic and astronomical predictions, many still took our turnout as a positive sign concerning youth civic engagement.
Now another time to vote is upon us. And no, Class Board and Undergraduate Assembly elections don't sound quite as catchy as "Obama for America" and "The Time Is Now." The victory speeches won't be watched by millions, and it's doubtful we'll all march down to City Hall in a collective show of hope and humanity.
But it's a chance for us to get involved and let our voices be heard on issues that impact our daily lives in particularly real ways.
The events that we all say we care about - from Hey Day on down to cafeteria trays - are all affected by which students are placed in student government.
And for the past several years our turnout has been, well, abysmal. Last year, 44 percent of students voted in student elections - which was a record voter turnout at the time. In the presidential election, more than 95 percent of Penn students who registered to vote on campus went to the polls.
Simply put, we can do better. Polls are open, on Penn InTouch, until Friday. Sit down and vote.
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