Conversations about the presidential election are popping up in all kinds of unconventional places, especially on college campuses.

For everyone who thinks America’s youth is relatively uninformed, think again.

In between stories from last night’s crazy party, what girls showed up and fuzzy accounts of only partially-remembered actions, a shirtless fraternity member looks up from his steaming breakfast burrito and says, “I wonder who will win South Carolina today.”

I looked up in surprise to hear the comment, but then one of his hung-over counterparts responded and a discussion ensued.

Perhaps this is different from the typical venue considered a likely spot for academic discourse surrounding the impending presidential election.

It’s probably more likely to imagine men and women in cocktail dresses and tuxedos buzzing around a penthouse apartment with soft piano music in the background and an impeccable view behind them.

Not so here, no venue is safe, not even for young adults.

The 2009 election marks the first opportunity for involvement in the democratic process for more than half of America’s undergraduate population. More than half of USC’s population was under 18 at the time of the last election.

But whether it’s in a fraternity dining room or at the local hot spot bar, America’s youth is talking about the election in their spare time, not just when asked to do so by professors.

At each of the four social events I attended over the weekend, serious conversations broke out about the election, by people who actually had a reasonable knowledge base to bring to the table.

I overheard two third year college students arguing at the local watering hole amid hundreds of other stumbling young adults sipping their drinks and commiserating.

“I’m just so sick of all the people who talk about this election like they know what’s up,” said the guy to the girl. “That’s why I made a huge chart for everyone to hang up and actually learn about.”

I expected to turn around and see a weasely, skinny kid with a comb-over and pocket protector.
Instead, I found myself staring at a tall, average fraternity member from a reputable house.

I asked him to send me his graph. It’s rather impressive, given the amount of time it must have taken, not that I agree with it all. The column that says, “my views” are his, not mine. I will include it below.

The social discourse occurring is an essential part of the democratic process and our responsibility, given our duty to gain knowledge of the leader’s we’ll elect in less than a year. It’s comforting to see that even the newest members of the voting population are participating.