In November, Mitt Romney and Barack Obama will go head-to-head in the Presidential Election. For many young people, the 2012 election is their first voting experience. A handful of SJV seniors will have this privilege.

According to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, 23 million young people, ages 18-30, voted in the 2008 Presidential election; The Pew Research Center Publications states that 66% of those young voters voted for President Barack Obama. This is truly a testament to young voters’ power over the outcome of the presidential election. How do SJV students feel about this power?

SJV senior, Isabella Textores will be turning 18 in this month, thus allowing her to vote in the 2012 Presidential election. “I think it’s awesome. I’m excited that I can have a say in the election. I feel like I’m maturing,” said Textores.

Fe Lorraine Reyes, another senior at SJV who will have the opportunity to vote, also weighed in: “I think it’s important to formulate a political opinion at an early age, because doing so represents a nation that genuinely cares about the future of its country. Having the power to vote, simple as the concept sounds, results in becoming aware of your government and setting up fundamental opportunities for future generations.”

It has been reported that many young people do not have the same vigor they did in the 2008 election, and are less inclined to vote at all. Will they still hold the same power from the last election? We will find out when November rolls around.