Many low-income Americans feel their votes don't count
Lylian Davis stood outside her mobile home, squinted at the sun and considered the presidential election.
“Yeah, I’m going to vote. For whom, I’m undecided.” Among her neighbors in Landfall, a tiny St. Paul suburb of mobile homes where 1 in 5 of about 700 residents lives in poverty, Davis thinks she’s unusual.
“ ‘ Oh, my vote doesn’t count.’ That’s all I hear around here.” Davis said.
Nationwide, low-income Americans vote at much lower rate than wealthier citizens. According to a 1990 survey published by Harvard University Press, almost 9 out of 10 individuals in families with incomes over $75,000 reported voting in presidential elections while only half of those in families with incomes under $15,000 reported voting.... Read more >>
Young voters stress economy, Iraq and health care
Andrew Korte, 21, sat on the steps outside of the library at the University of St. Thomas one recent afternoon, snacking on a sandwich along with his friend Jeremy Leavell. Leavell, 21, is also a student at St. Thomas. Like most young people around the nation, Korte is uncertain what the future has in store for him.
“There’s going to be a lot of students coming out of school looking for jobs, and they’re going to be more concerned about whether or not the jobs are going to be there,” said Korte.
He’s not alone. As the nation gears up for the November Presidential election, young Minnesota voters are voicing concerns about the economy, the Iraq war and education costs.
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