Four years ago there seemed to be a fire of excitement on college campuses for the presidential election. But this year several national media outlets have reported that fire's burned out.
We wanted to know on a local level what college kids are thinking so we headed to IUSB for Thursday nights debate.
There were about 30 people there watching the debate. They were talking about it but a recent Gallup poll showed the percentage of young voters who definitely plan to vote is down about 16 points from 2008. On IUSB's campus students are interested but it's a little under the radar.
Every day on IUSB's campus students walk to class and socialize with peers. But are they talking politics and the presidential election? Celena Sherwood said, "I haven't really heard a lot of people talking about it." And Casey Geer said, "most people on this campus I'd say aren't really interested. They don't really care."
And while you may agree and think the lack of election talk is because most young people just don't care that's not what everyone says at IUSB. David Weist said, "I think it's exciting. It's going to be a huge huge event in our history." Sherwood said, "I try to make myself watch all the debates and stuff."
And they say they have plenty of good reasons to care about this election. Weist said, "I feel like there's a lot at stake. The economy's in question." Blake Magyar said, "I want to make a difference. I want to try and make things the way I want them. I don't want to sit back and just let things happen."
So if they are following it then why don't they think there's much dialogue going on about the election? Weist said, "see a lot of people keeping it to theirself. It can be a heated topic."
Students say they've seen groups on campus trying to get people to register but it hasn't sparked a lot of open conversation between classes.
