Voicing opinions by protesting, voting share similar power

House Editorial

Students constantly are being told that their votes make a difference. With national programs such as Rock the Vote, which encourages young people to get involved in the political election process, the concept of "every vote counts" is driven into the head of anyone between the ages of 18 and 24.

But, students need more than that. It is difficult for a 20-year-old who is focused on schoolwork, extracurricular activities and a social life to levy out enough energy to apply for an absentee ballot. Students need a reason — something that hits home — in order for them to realize how important their votes are.

The House of Delegates passed a bill last Tuesday that would ban the distribution of emergency contraceptive pills at every Virginia public college and university. The bill, which was proposed by Del. Robert Marshall, R-Manassas, next goes to the Senate, and, if passed there, could be signed by Gov. Mark Warner into law.

That means all of the hard work JMU students have put in over the past year to reverse the Board of Visitors' decision to allow ECPs to be distributed on campus was useless. Forget the 2,714 signatures junior Krissy Schnebel collected for a Student Government Association Bill of Opinion. Ignore the 50 students who rallied on the commons and marched to Mark Obenshain's office last May. Nevermind the nationwide struggle of liberal students vs. conservative adults on this touchy topic.

The bottom line is, unless all students who participated in the ECP protests voted in the last House, Senate and governor elections, their fight for ECP distribution at the University Health Center could be overruled by the higher power — those who did vote.

The 2000 presidential election proved a similar point. Only 537 votes were needed to change the Florida outcome, which gave the electoral vote to republican George W. Bush over democrat Al Gore, according to Time magazine.

Only 3.5 percent of the JMU population would have needed to vote in the Florida primaries to change the outcome in 2000. Less than a quarter of those students who signed Schnebel's petition put together had that ability.

Protesting for something you believe in is the same thing as casting a ballot. Each has similar power — the possibility of change. Unfortunately, the close margin of victory only is discovered after all the votes are tabulated. In the case of the on-campus distribution of ECPs, supporters and critics alike should keep in mind that if they voted, they did their part in the democratic process. After all, what is the point in calling America a democracy if everybody doesn't take full advantage of their right to vote?

Every political guru can announce repeatedly the importance of voting, but students need to ignore them. Instead, focus on the details. Think of the protests. Remember the letters to the editor. Whether you are for or against ECP distribution, those actions count when considering casting a ballot. In the next election, don't let it be too late to make a difference.