In a little less than a month, Indiana will hold its first meaningful primary in forty years. With 84 democratic delegates up for grabs, and only 143 delegates separating Barack Obama from Hilary Clinton, there’s a lot at stake in this primary.

For many people our age, this will be the first time they get to make a difference in the political process. For eighteen years, voting has been distant and far-off. But now many high school students are forced to actually contemplate who they think will do a better job of leading America.

When the stakes are so high, it is absolutely necessary that they take voting seriously. Being allowed to effect change in one’s own government is a right which should not be taken lightly. It is an incredibly important part of freedom of expression, and with this right comes the responsibility to sincerely weigh the options available to them.

This is the closest nomination contest in years. No matter which candidate comes out on top, there will be a large-scale change in the new administration from the past one. It is in the voters hands to make that change. As new voters, high school students might not yet be aware of the power they wield. They should realize that voting is an important right which is an integral part of their freedom of expression.

-Stan deRuijter
Staff Writer