Overcoming apathy - Editorial

Tuesday's elections were considered by many to be historic. In Maryland, Robert Ehrlich became the first Republican Governor in the state since Spiro Agnew was elected more than 30 years ago. Hopkins alum Michael Steele became Maryland's first African-American Lieutenant Governor. In other states, Senate elections that were too close to call until hours after the polls closed gave Republicans control of both chambers of Congress.

Despite the lack of noisy demonstrations at Homewood, like those at other institutions of higher education, many members of the Hopkins community played an important political role in the weeks and days leading up to the election. Specifically, the Young Republicans and College Democrats deserve recognition for their displays of political activism.

The Young Republicans registered 59 new voters, and the College Democrats held a voter turnout registration drive on campus and went to South Baltimore and Howard County to encourage people to vote. Also, the groups brought both candidates for Lieutenant Governor and U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings to speak on campus. Through their participation in the electoral process, these groups served notice that Hopkins students are, in fact, aware of the world of politics.

Other Hopkins students should emulate their efforts in the future. Both the Young Republicans and College Democrats have demonstrated that young people can get involved in the political process and strive to make a difference. Students need only look to the bleak job market that awaits them for motivation to shape and change the governmental institutions that influence the economy.

It has been a political trend over the years that politicians ignore the college student population. And with good reason: college-age students are generally apathetic and fail to exercise their franchise. If students began to vote in significant numbers, politicians would be forced to respond. The Young Republicans and College Democrats have shown that people our age can contribute - it is up to the rest of the student body to follow their lead and influence the policymakers.

Although the Young Republicans and College Democrats played the most visible roles in the electoral process, they were not the only participants. Some of those who didn't trudge in the rain from house to house are heroes of the democratic process in their own way. Many students not only voted, but also make it a priority to keep abreast of the issues in order to make informed decisions. Some who are registered here voted at local polling places while others sent away for an absentee ballot. A few drove back to their home polling places. Their participation was especially important in this election, as many races were won by fewer than 10 percentage points. Kudos to everybody who voted and volunteered, for they are the people who make democracy work.