By Lauren Farberman
Theme Editor
Costa seniors Matt DuMont, Ben Falley and John Wood display their passion for politics and Democratic values through their leadership of Costa’s Young Democrats Club, as they involve themselves locally in the election and spread their knowledge about this year’s candidates.
DuMont and Falley are co-presidents, and Wood is vice president of Young Democrats, which meets every Monday in room 48. At meetings, they discuss the election and promote the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton.
“The club discusses the election frequently,” DuMont said. “The club supports Hillary because she has a proven track record and is the candidate who truly has the capability to take our country in the right direction. Clinton has been working extremely hard her whole life to get where she is now.”
Link: Clinton’s campaign website
Since the club supports Clinton, it actively works to inform others about why she is fit for the job of running the United States. It is extremely important for young voters not only to be knowledgeable about the candidates but also to register and vote, Wood said.
“Being informed is important because it’s the only way you can say that you’re making a difference,” Wood said. “Young voters are the future, so it is important that their voices are heard.”
Young Democrats held a voter registration day on campus on Wednesday in the Mustang Mall in order to get students who will be eligible to vote ready for Election Day on Nov. 8. The members of the Young Democrats Club handed out registration forms for new voters to inform students on campus how the voting process works.
“We encourage everyone eligible to vote, regardless of political persuasion, to get registered so they can have a say in the political process,” Falley said. “It is super important that young people vote because the decisions that are being made now are going to impact the rest of their lives.”
Young voters, like Wood, who plan to vote for Clinton in the election are involving themselves in the election process by volunteering in local political campaigns. Wood and DuMont are among various Costa students who interned over the summer for Al Muratsuchi, a prosecutor and deputy attorney general with the California Department of Justice who is running for state assembly. Wood said they called voters to inform them about Muratsuchi and worked to recruit new volunteers by encouraging others to campaign.
Link: learn more about Muratsuchi
“The internship with Muratsuchi really allowed me to immerse myself in politics and learn more about what goes on behind the scenes of the campaigning process,” Wood said.
DuMont, Falley and Wood said they hope they can educate young voters on Democratic politics and believe Clinton is the most qualified candidate running for president. In the future, the club plans to continue advocating for Democrats in political positions.
“For me, being a Democrat means trying to make a better life for all Americans regardless of race, class or sexual orientation,” Falley said. “It is important that Clinton becomes president because she is a capable candidate. She is better informed on the issues facing our nation and has the experience to deal with those issues.”
Leave a Reply