By Greta Lieske
IV Leader Editor, Oct. 16, 2008
An IV Leader survey of 400 Illinois Valley Community College students on political and election 2008 knowledge shows that the more local the office, the less students pay attention and while 78 percent of students are registered to vote, only 27 percent consider themselves to be politically knowledgeable.
A little more than 92 percent of students can identify either of the two major party candidates, Barack Obama (D) and John McCain (R), but vice presidential running mates are harder to identify for students.
Sarah Palin (R) and Joe Biden (D) were only recognized 80.75 percent with almost 10 percent believing Ralph Nader to be the Democratic running mate.
The Presidential race is overwhelmingly the most important part of the 2008 elections for students because they view the Presidency as the main office that can make or break their futures.
One student expressed the significance of the Presidential election "because something has to be done about the economy," which is the most prevalent issue concerning students.
Other main issues that were mentioned include the war with Iraq, costs of college and the environment.
Frank Wiza, 18, also emphasized what the election can mean for younger generations and their stake in the election: "Whoever gets in office this year is making the decisions during some of the most critical years of my life."
At the Congressional level, however, most students have trouble identifying candidates and only 19 percent know that IVCC is located in the 11th Congressional district.
Republican State Sen. Gary Dahl was also confused with 11th District U.S. Congressman Jerry Weller (R-Ill.).
A little over half of surveyed students think Dahl is the 11th District's U.S. Congressman, with only 23.25 percent of students answering correctly.
In comments, most students admit they put Presidential politics over local level politics.
One anonymous student said, "I am just getting into the election. Maybe when I'm older I will learn about local politics."
Student interest also has a lot to do with political knowledge. Even though more than three fourths of surveyed students are registered to vote, many did not express interest in the subject matter and only 27 percent would put themselves in the "politically knowledgeable" category.
The most common reasons that students are not interested in politics include: they are too busy, they think politics are boring, they perceive politicians as liars and the government as untrustworthy, they are not happy with either major party Presidential candidate and most feel worn out by the 2008 election because of the constant media coverage.
Ashley Bernhardt, 18, said that she "doesn't have time to be interested. [She] worries, but [is] just too busy."
Another anonymous 18-year-old student explained that he or she is interested in politics and the election but is "annoyed with it and just wants it to be over."
An overwhelming amount of students who do express an interest in politics are amongst the 27 percent that consider themselves politically intelligent. Most interest stems from a sense of civic duty.
"We live in a country that gives everyone a voice," said Cheyanne Smith, 18. "Not taking the opportunity to vote is wasting that voice."
Ariel Mattes, also 18, is interested because she wants to make sure that the country she lives in is "ran by the right people with the right mind."
Twenty percent of surveyed students find themselves somewhere in the middle. They are not sure whether they are knowledgeable and not sure if they should be.
Not as turned off by politics as the 7.25 percent of students who said they completely don't care, this group may become more involved in the future as Lainey Senter, 20, points out.
Senter said she cares "who our potential leaders are, but is not as involved" as she should be.
Most other students in this 20 percent group had the same thoughts as Senter. ‘One anonymous student said, "I just don't understand politics. I should and maybe in the future I will take the time to learn."
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4 and voter registration ended on Oct. 7, but late voter registration has a grace period until Oct. 21 by contacting the County Clerk's office.