By Andrea Ordonez, Columnist
This past weekend was not only Halloween and the pre-election weekend, but also the opening of class registration for sophomore students at Hofstra. While most people were out celebrating, a majority of that class sat close to their laptops waiting for the stroke of midnight. After having a nervous breakdown about two preferred classes being closed, I was finally able to get into all the classes I needed.
Some however, were not so lucky. As I have a student aide job in a departmental office, I have seen many students come in, incredibly fervent about registering for classes. I see eyes light up when students are signed into a class, or hear long life stories when they are denied admission or put on a waitlist. Registering for classes can be quite strenuous.
What about registering to vote? Does registering as a voter keep us hunched over our laptops late at night? The only requirements are filling out primary information, checking a couple boxes, and mailing the form in. The simplicity of the whole procedure should be incredibly appealing.
According to CNN, of the 44 million people in America that fit the 18-29 year-old demographic, only about one-fifth of them are registered to vote. In terms of the 2010 midterm elections, media outlets for months kept projecting that the younger generation would not be showing up to the polls.
Even after President Obama visited several universities encouraging students to vote, the media still proclaimed a majority of the 18-29 demographic to be "no-shows."
What can possibly be done to convince this age group to register to vote for something of such magnitude? Besides President Obama making appearances at universities, the motley crew of candidates running in various places throughout the country should have been enough motivation.
Delaware Tea Partier Christine O'Donnell claimed she had dabbled in witchcraft, while New York Republican Carl Paladino made bold statements against gay pride parades. Conecticut Republican Linda McMahon was the former manager of the WWE, and notorious third party candidate Jimmy McMillan decided to run under "The Rent is 2 Damn High" party ticket.
Clearly registering to vote is simpler than registering for classes. No scary midnight deadlines; no need to fill out many tedious, different forms, or send them to various offices. Yet the already simple process apparently isn't simple enough for young people to take the time out of their day to vote. When will it be?