Young voters share thoughts on 2012 election - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Lauren Casey/WTHR intern

INDIANAPOLIS - This November, Americans head to the polls for a presidential election that's widely seen as a referendum on President Barack Obama's first term. Voters will make their decision based on critical issues like the economy, health care, immigration, education and more.

In 2008, Obama rose to victory over his opponent Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, in part because he electrified the hearts of the nation's young voters.

According to CNN, 63 percent of young Hoosier voters between the ages of 18 and 29 voted for Obama and that group made up nearly 1 in 5 voters. In every other age category, the majority voted for McCain. Those young voters played a huge role in Obama becoming the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Indiana in 44 years.

Four years later, many wonder if Obama can regain his appeal to the youth of America or if his message of hope and change has lost its glamour.

Eyewitness News wanted a sneak peek into the future of America, so we spoke with college-aged voters who will become the country's next leaders. The thoughts and perspectives from this critical voting block could help predict the outcome of this fall's election.

College junior Connor Moore missed the voting age by one year in the 2008 election season, but is enthusiastic about voting this November.

Moore said, "Barring any major changes, [I am] voting for Obama. This is not to say that I fully support all of his actions over the past three and a half years, but all in all, I like the way he has been directing our country."

Moore said that as an International Studies major, he supports Obama's actions in the area of foreign policy.

"[He is] not afraid to take action yet doing so only with methodical analysis of the situation," said Moore.

Recent college graduate, John Herrick, regrets not participating in the 2008 election. Since starting his career in the media, he is more focused on national issues than ever before.

"The last four years has made me realize that I need to become more sensitized to the dire circumstances of our country," said Herrick. "This year I am willing to say that this is the biggest election in our lifetime."

Herrick cites the recent upholding of the Affordable Care Act as one main area of concern.

"Obama cannot serve a second term. He's run up the national debt, done little to help the economy, and now is trying to force people to buy healthcare," said Herrick.

College junior Billy Endress takes a different approach than most voters his age. He said that he feels that the Libertarian Party can also provide options to Americans in the national debate and that it is important for Americans to realize they have more than two options at the ballot box.

Franklin College Senior Ellen Sichting plans on voting this fall, but is leaving her options open. She voted for Obama in 2008 but is not ready to support of either candidate this early in the game.

"I will be looking at both candidate's platforms, as well as historic data on each. I identify as an Independent, with no formal connection to either party," said Sichting. "As a graduating senior, one of the most important issues for me this year is the economy. Overall, I have always placed personal emphasis on the issues of education and women's rights."

College junior Kristin Blankenship grew up on the south side of Indianapolis but is now a junior at the University of Tennessee and is now old enough to vote for President. She made her decision after the primary this past spring.

"I'm voting for Mitt Romney in this fall's election. I am a conservative Republican, and when Rick Santorum withdrew I felt that Romney was the next best candidate the represented my goals and ideas for government," said Blankenship. "The most important issue to me for this election is the grand goal of balancing the budget."

Zach Stallard has taken his role as an actively engaged citizen very seriously because of his religious beliefs. While he was not old enough in 2008 to vote, he stayed involved in the political process.

Now that he can go to the polls, he is turning towards the issues when making his decision about who he should vote for.

"I believe that it is critical that our government take actions that treat all people as humans, with dignity and respect as creations of God," said Stallard. "Because of this, I think the just treatment of immigrants including comprehensive immigration reform, the repeal of laws like Arizona's, and the passage of the DREAM Act is very important."

Religious studies major, David Barickman, shared similar opinions with Stallard in areas of foreign policy. He too could not vote in 2008, but remembers struggling to decide who he supports more between McCain and Obama.

This year he plans to vote for Obama and said, "Issues such as new conflicts or wars or escalation of current conflicts I cant support."

John Sittler's birthday falls in mid-November. While he missed voting in the 2008 election, he is planning on voting for Mitt Romney this fall because he believes he is the best choice for the country.

"Obama took office with promises of change, which we have largely failed to see. His biggest accomplishment, is the health care reform law, which I believe is the first step on a slippery slope towards socialism," said Sittler.

College senior Jessica Haggard is also excited to be able to vote for Mitt Romney but is realistic about her expectations when it comes to the nation's economic situation.

"I don't think that in four or even eight years Romney will be able to single handedly fix the economic situation. No man could," said Haggard. "[However] I think that Romney is the best candidate to get us back on track and start an actual healing process for our nation."