Moderator: Veronica Barriga
Producer: Jasper Harris
Associate Producers: Veronica Barriga, Ethan Hanson, Esteban Reynoso
Anchor: Bridgette Creamer
Social Media Editor: I’maiya Milan Wright
Reporters: Veronica Barriga, Bridgette Creamer, Ethan Hanson, Jasper Harris, Esteban Reynoso, Londy Sagastume and I’maiya Milan Wright
November’s midterm elections are fast approaching, and young voters are being urged to make their voices heard. Voter registration is at an all-time high, and 19 million people are registered to vote, but young voter turnout rates are still low.
The Pew Research Center has reported that less than a quarter of eligible millennials voted during the last midterm election. Older voting populations had ten-percent higher turnout rates.
As the baby boomer population decreases, the results for the upcoming election on November 6th will depend primarily upon young voters.
CSUN Political Science Professor Tyler Hughes said encouraging younger generations to vote should start at their homes and on campus.
“If you talk more politics at home, you’re more likely to be active,” he said. “We should at least be giving students the tools to participate, instead of just telling them to participate.”
CSUN Associated Students Chair of Community and Government Relations Tracy Johnson said a combination of institutional and psychological barriers may be discouraging young people to vote.
“The psychological barriers are efficacy;” he said, “believing that this matters, and that it’s going to make a difference; the voter’s education; the knowledge; the trust in government; these things are barriers that can discourage young voters.”
Young people have been more likely to engage in activism in 2016, but the main concern is whether or not that activism will make it to the polls.
Hughes said the older someone gets, the more likely they are to vote.
Johnson said he dislikes blaming older generations for societal barriers.
“We need to all come together,” he said. “Three or four generations together will change things. One generation isn’t going to do it, in my opinion.”
The last day to register to vote in California is October 22nd, but anyone who misses that deadline can still register to vote conditionally.
Moderator: Ahmad Akkaoui
Executive Producer: Mario Saucedo
Associate Producer: Natalia Vivino
Anchor: Sandy Chavez
Social Media Editor: Tammera Magana
Reporters: Ahmad Akkaoui, Sandy Chavez, Manuel Fuentes, Tammera Magana, Mario Saucedo & Natalia Vivino
California voters face an important decision in this upcoming November ballot, about making marijuana legal for recreation use.
Prop 64, also known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, will let Californians decide whether to allow individuals 21 years or older possess up to 28.5 grams of marijuana for legal use.
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws says four states: Colorado, Washington, Alaska and Oregon, have legalized the use of recreational marijuana without any major problems, while other states have legalized it for medical use.
The initiative would create a 15% excise tax on the retail price of recreational marijuana. “The government of California would rake in a substantial amount of revenue from that,” said CSUN economics professor Dennis Halcoussis. The projected revenue from legalization is expected to exceed $1 billion.
Marijuana retailers also expect to make money from the new law. “I think [business] is going to be even better,” said Garden Secrets Medical Marijuana Dispensary owner Tommy Amady.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the revenue that will come from taxes will be used for substance abuse education and treatment programs, environmental improvement, and more.
“Our biggest win, that I think is unprecedented compared to all the others states, is we have a $50 million reinvestment fund that will go to communities previously harmed by the War on Drugs,” said Campaign Program Associate for Californians for Responsible Marijuana Reform, Leslie Otañez.
Voters will have their opportunity to cast their vote on November 8, and decide whether they are ready for a change in the marijuana industry.
Moderator: Thomas Gallegos
Anchor: Jackie Wawee
Producer: Susana Guzman
Social Media: Alicia Dieguez and Ke-Alani Sarmiento
Reporters: Alicia Dieguez, Thomas Gallegos, Ke-Alani Sarmiento, Nicholas Torres and Jackie Wawee
CSUN’s On Point takes a close look at the issue of religion in the Presidential campaign: GOP candidate and likely nominee Mitt Romney is in the spotlight, as voters and commentators question the role his Mormon faith will have in his race to the White House.
Guests include: Dr. Greggory DeVore, former Bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints; Leigh Bradberry, an assistant professor in the California State University-Northridge Political Science Department; and Patrick Q. Mason, Howard W. Hunter Chair of Mormon Studies at Claremont Graduate University.
