Living in a Swing State During the Election

Living in Ohio has its faults: the weather, the football sanctions… and during election season, the constant commercials, door-to-door visitors and mailings. Ohio is a swing state in every presidential election, and 2012 is no exception. Since early May, political commercials on both sides have overtaken every television break, from the inspiring and hopeful to the ones slamming the other party and airing mistakes.

For individuals who are staunchly on one party side or they other, they bask in the opportunity to support and agree with their candidate, while rejecting the claims made by the opposition. However, for those like me–those more in the middle of the party line, commercials on both sides tempt to vote for a minor party who chooses not to bombard you with constant emotional pleas.

Understanding the importance of educating oneself before voting becomes even harder when being constantly assaulted with skewed statements passed off as facts. With the main comparison used by uneducated voters to decide who to vote for being family opinions, or the occasional quiz linked to Facebook and Twitter, the effect of uneducated voters within a swing state could be disastrous.

For this reason, I urge all individuals in the swing state of Ohio–particularly college-age students who are voting for the first time this Fall–to do their research before Tuesday. The votes and decisions of our generation are extremely important as we are now able to cause a change in our country and create the political atmosphere that we see fit. However, if we choose to follow in the footsteps of those who have voted before us and not learn enough to know what we feel is best, we will only continue to repeat the mistakes that have been made in the past.

Do your research, educate yourself, make a decision, and go out and VOTE on Tuesday!