Campaign aims to get teens active in politics

PROVO — As the 2008 presidential election gets closer, teenagers are rarely the target of political advertising or old-fashioned, campaign-trail stumping, but that doesn't stop some from wanting to be more involved.

"I really wish I could vote," said 17-year-old Rebecca Johnston of Mapleton.

Although shy of the minimum age to cast a vote, Johnston is keeping a close watch on this year's election. Hers is exactly the kind of enthusiasm organizers of the UR Vote Counts campaign are trying to drum up from teens around the country.

The campaign, which made a stop at the Provo Towne Centre mall Friday, will visit 150 malls in 42 states in two months. The idea is to get teens involved in a political conversation sure to impact them now and in the future.

Even though she said it might sound strange, the Springville High School student ranked immigration foremost of the issues she is concerned about, followed closely by high gas prices. In a place like Utah, she said, people need to be concerned about illegal immigration, and she'd like to see some reform. The campaign gave her an opportunity to make

her voice heard.

"It was really cool, because I don't get a chance to vote in this election," she said.

After watching both the Democratic and Republican conventions recently, Johnston said she would support Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., if she could, although she mostly likes his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

At the mall, booths were set up to allow the teens to secretly cast their votes on which issues matter most to them and who they would like to see as the next U.S. president. The issues ranged from national security to health care to the environment. Before casting their votes, they had the chance to sign a Declaration of Involvement, which said, "We hold these truths self-evident: That all issues are not created equal, everyone's voice matters, and being informed is always a powerful place to be."

Another teen, 17-year-old Nikkie Higgins of Provo, said she doesn't feel like the election is being stressed enough in school. But while she'll keep an eye on the outcome, she doesn't feel the result will affect her much.

Her friend, Spencer Shaw, 17, of Provo, said that even though he isn't really concerned about the election, his parents are interested in the process.

"I've heard a lot about Barack Obama," he said. "He has these fantasy ideas about changing the world, but he can't even change the U.S."