The millennial vote

Philippine Daily Inquirer

12:10 AM May 8th, 2016
This is a moment of truth for Filipino millennials. Their
numbers are of critical importance in the presidential election,
and it behooves them to be aware not only of the burning
issues but also of the significance of their vote in their
countrys progress. It is not being overly dramatic to say that
they hold the future in their young and vigorous hands.
A cursory look at Commission on Elections figures will show
that to be true: 54,363,844 registered voters nationwide, of
whom 24,730,013 are aged 18-34 (the age range of
millennials, or those born between 1980 and 2000), and of
whom the single largest group (7,983,167) is composed of
those aged 20-24. So do the math. This nation of more than
100 million will either benefit or suffer from the choice that
the millennials will make tomorrow. It is hopefully a choice
that they are taking very seriously.
Inquirer Super recently spoke with first-time millennial voters
who said, among others, that they want a trustworthy and

honest leader who represents alternative politics. A 22-year-

disappointed apathy. The danger lies in not believing that you

old teachers view is heartening: This kind of politics births

can make a difference.

new measures to forward the concerns and issues of women,

Indeed. And millennials should vote for the candidate they

youth, farmers and the like. Leaders who are advocates of

want, not the candidate they think will most likely win, or the

alternative politics see to it that the power they have will be

candidate other people are pushing. If they want their vote to

used for the advantage of these marginalized people.

matter, they should own it.

Elsewhere, in social media, for example, the discussions have

Political science professor Antonio Contreras told Inquirer

been so clangorous as to border on violence. On one hand it is

Super that the youth should not just focus on who they are

noteworthy that voters are quite engaged, but on the other it is

going to vote, but on what kind of politics they want, and start

reprehensible that threats of rape and mayhem issued by a

to do that right now. The youth make up 46 percent of the

candidates supporters have become commonplace. Inquirer

electorate, he pointed out. Surely [they] can demand.

millennial columnist Kay Rivera wrote recently: Maybe we

Yes, they can demand many things of the leader they choose.

do deserve a president who is willing to recognize that rape

This leader should represent the best in them and the things

culture and systematic oppression do exist, and who wont

that matter most to them. In choosing their candidate, they are

contribute to that. But, regardless of who wins, maybe change

choosing the one who hews most closely to who they are, or

is comingand maybe it starts with us and with our

what they want to be. They should remember that many

keyboards, and our capacity to educate ourselves and others.

people have died and sacrificed so that they can one day

Rivera also issued the reminder that turning out to vote greatly

exercise their right to vote. Without those heroes, millennials

matters: The more insidious danger lies not in irresponsible

would be voting in Marcos-era referendums.

tale-telling on social media. The danger lies in this

Millennial voters are burdened by great expectations,

including the difficult task of shunning dictatorship despite
their never having experienced the terrors of martial law. But

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then they are made of encouraging stuff: They embrace

diversity, call for LGBT equality, and seek to make the
passage of the freedom of information bill a priority. They

Study shows millennials more involved in politics, remain

hopeful in government

are disgusted with the corruption around them.

http://asianjournal.com/news/study-showsmillennials-more-involved-in-politicsremain-hopeful-in-government/

Hopefully they have come to realize that history matters, and

By Allyson Escobar

consider education important, are environmentally aware, and

that the next six years are crucial for a country teetering
between development and collapse.
To be old enough to vote is to take on a meaningful
responsibility. It is not being unrealistic to expect millennials
to grasp the necessity of participation in the nations collective
destiny. But first, critical awareness is required of them, a
correct perspective on where we all stand. Sooner or later they
will learn how dreadful it is to bear the crushing outcome of a
mistake, and how demanding it is to undo damage where it
counts.
Tomorrow, the future begins.

Published: May 1, 2015 | No Comments

A POLL from Harvards Institute of Politics (IOP)
surveyed millennials 18-29 years old found that nearly
half are not confident in the fairness of the American
justice system, but despite stereotypes, more young
people are involved in politics than people think.
Though 79 percent of young Americans admit to not
being as politically engaged or active, nearly 70
percent of respondents said they are registered to vote.
In the 2012 election, 60 percent said they voted
although the actual count is around 50 percent,
according to exit polls.
Still, the turnout is higher than voters from Generation
X, whose overall turnout was around 40 percent.
The poll also found no front-runner among the
prospective Republican candidates in the 2016

presidential primary race, though Democratic contender

Hillary Clinton is in command of her party with 47
percent (followed by Elizabeth Warren, at 11 percent).
Ben Carson topped the list in favored GOP ticket
candidates, with 10 percent.
Overall, the majority of 18- to 29-year-olds said they
would prefer a Democrat (55 percent) to win the 2016
campaign for president over a Republican (40 percent).
The IOPs findings show that the millennials are split
(49 percent-49 percent) over confidence in the US
judicial systems ability to fairly judge people without
bias for race and ethnicity. They were also split on their
support of protests following the police killings of black
men in Ferguson, Mo., and in New York. 80 percent
support requiring police to wear body cameras. 37
percent of young white Americans showed support for
the #BlackLivesMatter campaign, and the majority (59
percent) said the protests will either be not very or
not at all effective in making meaningful change to
improve the criminal justice system.
Other major issues were also polled, including global
warming (55 percent surveyed blamed gas emissions, 20
percent on natural changes in the environment), the
controversial Keystone XL pipeline, sexual assault, and
general trust in government leaders (which, at 37
percent confidence in the President and 53 percent in
the US military, is beginning to slightly improve).
The Institute of Politics has been polling Americas
Millenials, the largest generation in our nations history,
for fifteen years, said the Harvard IOP Director Maggie
Williams. Our spring poll shows there are millions of
18- to 29-year-olds who remain hopeful about our
nations future. They are ready to engage in the 2016

electionfrom voting to volunteeringif political

leaders build trust not only as candidates but also in the
political process itself.

A detailed report on the IOP study is available on the

homepage www.iop.harvard.edu.
(With reports from NPR)

(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Weekend May 2-5, 2015 Sec. A pg.5)