In the recent Transcript-Bulletin article on voter turnout on Nov. 27 titled “Where have all the voters gone?” several comments were made regarding the supposed apathy of younger citizens. As a politically active “younger citizen” myself, whose even-younger husband recently ran for state Senate, I’d like to share my perspective. In my husband’s and my associations with other “young folks,” we have encountered very little apathy. While we did meet one person who refused to register to vote due to a fear of being called to jury duty, by and large the problem is one of disenfranchisement and disillusionment — not apathy. We of the younger generations care deeply, but often feel powerless to make a difference. Many young Utahns across the political spectrum assume that Utah will invariably vote Republican, and so they believe their own individual votes are meaningless. Likewise, there are many who believe that all politicians are the same — corrupt — and so don’t feel it matters much which way they vote. I encourage those of my generation and younger to get involved. We can make a difference if we put forth the effort. Our voices and vision are needed. Let’s show the older generations that we are informed, that we do care, and that our issues do matter.

Carina Dillon

Tooele