Before you start binge drinking enough alcohol to poison a small animal at the LSU-Western Kentucky University game tomorrow, don’t forget to vote in our gubernatorial election.
At the risk of sounding like a crotchety old man whose joy and humor left years ago, young people need to turn out and vote. Some of us are about to head into the horrifying real world within the next few years, and our next governor affects us more than anyone.
This election is especially important for higher education. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found Louisiana cut higher education funding by 42 percent per student since 2008, a rate higher than every state except Arizona. In terms of real dollars, that’s $4,941 cut per student.
This election is a pivotal point for higher education. The rate at which college students turn out to vote could be the deciding factor between restoring our funding or further privatizing education. Our next governor won’t care about our needs and our future if we don’t turn out to vote tomorrow.
Each candidate has a plan for higher education on their website. They’ve talked about it in almost every debate. This election cycle may be the first within my memory where higher education takes precedent over almost every other major issue in this state. A simple Google search can tell you everything you need to know about which candidate will fight for your education rights.
Whoever gets elected can shape and redefine our state. Don’t let football be an excuse for not voting in an election that can change the direction of Louisiana.
The governor of Louisiana can dictate our local economy, decide what businesses come into the state through tax credits and influence income inequality through his positions on minimum wage and sick leave.
We have a higher stake in the game than many realize, and it’s shameful that our government allowed an important election to take place on the same day as a home football game.
Our government should have found a way to work around having an LSU game on the same day as the election, while it’s unreasonable to consider every college football game in the state, Baton Rouge is our state capital, and LSU is our flagship school. Surely they could have coordinated something given our unique situation.
We’re not talking about a University of Louisiana-Monroe game in Monroe. People actually come to our games. Traffic usually stalls for hours, and most of the roads are redirected away from campus, making it an inconvenient — if not annoying — drive for people on this side of town. Voter apathy is already a plague on our generation and the country as a whole. The last thing we need is another reason not to vote.
At the very least, LSU could have worked with Louisiana’s Secretary of State to set up voting booths in the Student Union for satellite voting. People could vote and attend the game without having to make a second trip.
Given the dismal projected turnout rate, Louisiana should be doing everything in its power to motivate people to vote. Secretary of State Tom Schedler predicted turnout to be around 45 to 50 percent for this election. In other words, a minority of residents will choose our next leader for at least the next four years. The last time a minority of residents voted, we ended up with Jindal for eight years. Let’s learn from our mistakes.
So yes, go to the game and support the Tigers. Get unapologetically inebriated if you are of age. But first, go to your polling station and cast a ballot.
Or get drunk before you vote — I really don’t care. Just make your voice heard somehow.
Cody Sibley is a 19-year-old mass communication sophomore from Opelousas, Louisiana. You can reach him on Twitter @CodySibley.