PHS understands importance of voting

by Justin Renigar

November is approaching, and that means it’s time to vote again. On November 4, we will be voting for our new President. “Whoever is in charge for the next four years, or possibly eight years, is going to determine whether you get a job, when you get a job, and how much taxes you will pay,” explained PHS social studies teacher Mr. Irelan. So if you’re 18, then get out there and vote. We need all the help we can get on this election.

The candidates are Democrat Barack Obama, the first African American presidential candidate, and Republican John McCain. Thirty-two percent of people 18-24 don’t vote. Most of that percentage is ages 18-20 that don’t vote. That’s enough people to make a big difference in our election. “Voting helps give direction to the country,” said senior Ben Farley. There are about 120,000,000 people in this country who don’t vote every year.

The reasons vary as to why people don’t vote. The number one reason is that they are simply apathetic. They just don’t care. There are a lot of people that are 18 and over and aren’t even registered to vote. Other reasons why people don’t vote are because of injury, illness, personal problems, or they are handicapped. Thousands of car accidents happen every day, leaving people in the hospital on election day, unable to go out and vote. Thousands of babies are being born everyday so the mothers can’t go out and vote. That’s why voting is a privilege not a law. If you don’t want to vote then you don’t have to.Being in a small town like Pittsford, a higher percentage of people are likely to vote here than in a bigger city. There are less people to get in accidents or have any other problems on election day. Pittsford, and Hillsdale County in general, is predominantly Republican.