The past is no prologue in politics, but DePaul-area voters could be bucking some historical trends in both registration and votes cast this election season compared to years past.

An analysis of precinct voting totals going back to 2008 shows a marked decline in both registrations and votes cast since that year’s historic election of President Barack Obama. Whether that decline signals waning enthusiasm on the part of college-age voters-both here and across the nation-has implications for what may happen Nov. 6.

However, comparing today’s DePaul precinct to that of 2008 is no simple matter. Last year, as part of the decennial political remap, city ward and precinct boundaries were reshuffled. What had been the 49th precinct of the 32nd Ward-with its polling place now at the city’s branch library at 1150 W. Fullerton Ave. -is now the 39th precinct of the 43rd Ward.

But the boundaries are close enough that comparisons can be made between those times.

In the general election of 2008, between President Obama and Senator John McCain, 572 out of 817 (70 percent) registered actually voted in the 49th precinct that included most of DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus and several surrounding residential blocks.

In November 2010-with no presidential race on the ballot-merely 231 out of 669 registered voters (34 percent) voted.
In comparison to the 2008 general elections, voter turnout was even lower in past primaries:

In the February 2008 primary, (Obama vs. Clinton, McCain vs. Romney, etc.) only 31 percent of registered Democrats and 6 percent Republicans cast ballots for their respective parties.
The 2010 primary (Dan Hynes vs. Pat Quinn for Democratic governor’s nomination, etc.) resulted in a 10 percent voter turnout among Democrats and only 2 percent among registered Republicans.

In the March 2012 party primary, roughly 14 percent (Democratic) and 15 percent (Republican) of those registered voted within the DePaul precinct.

Some recent polls suggest that young American voter’s interest in the 2012 election is on the decline. According to a Pew Research Center report, only 63 percent of a sampling of registered voters between the ages of 18 and 29, compared to 2008’s 72 percent, said they will “definitely vote” in the upcoming election.

With much attention on the youth vote, colleges and universities across the nation have formed groups that promote political participation and the importance of voting. DePaul is no exception. With their Get Out the Vote (GOTV) campaign, the university’s Student Involvement department aims to help students become more knowledgeable and up-to-date in areas such as elections, absentee ballots, social issues, and voting processes.

To vote early in this year’s election, those registered to vote in the new 39th precinct of the 43rd Ward can go to the Lincoln Park Library at 1150 W. Fullerton Ave. between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. starting Monday, Oct. 22. For more information on voting accessibility and registration, visit chicagoelections.com.

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