With 77-year-old Donald Trump and 81-year-old Joe Biden, there is some concern about the higher ages of the candidates and the possible issues it could present to our government and the country itself.
Dale Gardner, a political science professor at Parkland College, believes “…it wouldn’t hurt to have some kind of age limit … or at least having some sort of evaluation when people get a certain age.” However, it would be very hard to get a standardized evaluation for the candidates since there would have to be non-partisan evaluators, which are hard to find in our country.
Gardner holds the opinion that we should leave this decision up to the people at the ballot box. To Gardner, this seems like “… a failure of the party system because they weren’t able to screen the candidates well enough or encourage them to let someone with less age compete…”
As mentioned previously, the two leading contenders are quite aged, bringing uncertainty since the possibility of them dying in office is naturally higher than it would be with younger candidates.
Additionally, due to the greater generational difference, the candidates may not represent the more modern values the younger generation holds. That is why it is crucial for the people to vote. Opinions need to be heard, and by going to the ballot box, you choose the candidate who you believe will listen, communicate and take action.
Gardner thinks “it’s important for everybody to vote” and that “starting early with your habits of voting is very important.” So, get out there, register, and make your voice loud and clear. To get registered, visit: https://champaigncountyclerk.com/elections/register-vote
