Hollister resident Robert Rivas is concerned about the country’s
future.
”
Only 20 percent of our youth are voting,
”
he said.
”
If that continues, what’s going to happen years down the
road?
”
Hollister resident Robert Rivas is concerned about the country’s future.
“Only 20 percent of our youth are voting,” he said. “If that continues, what’s going to happen years down the road?”
In an attempt to get young people in San Benito County more informed and involved in politics, Rivas recently founded the Young Democrats of San Benito County Club.
At only 24-years-old, Rivas is considered a young person as well, but he has built quite a political resume so far. After graduating from California State University, Sacramento with a degree in political science, Rivas took a job as an aide to Assemblymen Simon Salinas, D-Salinas, and now is pursuing his master’s in public administration at San Jose State.
Rivas got into politics at a young age, but it wasn’t his parents who got him involved with the Democratic Party – it was his younger brother Rick.
“During the Clinton campaign in 1992 my brother got a chance to work with the local Democratic Party here in Hollister, and watching what he was doing really made me interested,” Rivas said. “At my current age, I wish for nothing more than to be inspired. And above all else, I want this country to stand for hope.”
While San Benito County already has a Democratic Party organization, Rivas said the goals of the young Democrats are different.
“The county group is much older and focuses more on state and national issues,” he said. “The young Democrats club focuses more on informing young people about democracy and political mobilization. We need to let people in this county know that there are youth here who care about what happens. We are a voting block.”
One of the reasons Democrats have such poor participation among youth is because of the different levels of liberalism, Rivas said.
“It’s different between Republicans and Democrats,” he said. “I think a lot of the young Republicans are influenced by their parents whereas young people who are liberals tend to join parties that have specific liberal ideas like the Green Party and others.”
One Green Party member who has chosen to switch over and join the young Democrats club is 19-year-old Hollister resident Mohammad Huweih.
“I was originally Green but I realized my voice wouldn’t be heard,” he said. “Of the two major parties, I chose the Democrats because I’m a little more liberal.”
Rivas said aside from rallying up young Democrats, his main goal with starting the club is to get all young voters informed and participating.
“I know this is a Democratic club, but I’m willing to take anyone who is interested in learning more about politics,” he said. “I think everyone is concerned about the future of politics in this country, Democrats and Republicans.”
The club will lend its support to the Kerry/Edwards presidential campaign, but Rivas wasn’t originally a Kerry supporter. A self-proclaimed “Deaniac,” Rivas switched his support to Edwards after he realized Howard Dean didn’t have a chance.
“I felt like Edwards needed my vote more than Dean,” he said. “I’m happy to see him back in the campaign. I think he brings a lot of youth and energy to it.”
Rivas said the club will focus a lot of attention on local politics. Keeping young people informed about what’s going on in the community, and making sure they understand how local politics affects them is important, Rivas said.
“Ignorance is going to dictate policy in this country and we must stand against it,” he said. “People need to be informed about politics in the county because it affects their everyday lives.”
County Clerk John Hodges was glad to hear about the young Democrats club, and said it is needed now more than ever.
“I think it’s very important for young people to vote,” he said. “When you think about it, we’ve got 56,000 people in the county, only 25,000 of them are registered, and when it’s time to vote only half of them do.”
As the presidential election gets closer, Rivas said his immediate goal is getting people registered to vote. The club will have a Democratic Convention party sometime between July 26 and July 28, and Rivas said there will be meetings once a month, so there isn’t much of a time commitment needed to join. For more information about the club call 831-902-7461.
