Michelle Obama urges young voters to vote

The youngest set of voters has already been active this election season.

But for that to really count, they need to stay involved until Nov. 4 , when ballots are cast, first lady hopeful Michelle Obama said in a Monday morning conference call.

“The choice that America makes on Nov. 4 will have an enormous consequence for our country, and for the world,” she said. “This election is going to determine the course of an entire generation.”

And partisan politics aside, Obama said young voters, notoriously absent on Election Day, need to show up and vote for what they believe in — regardless of which box ends up checked on the ballot.

“If young Americans want to have a say in what the future looks like, then they need to make their voices heard, and do it now, and declare their values and their priorities with their actions on Nov. 4,” she said. “But in the past, too many have decided to remain silent.”

Obama listed growing unemployment rates, high student debt loads and a struggling economy as issues concerning young people.

She said her husband plans to address those issues should he make it to the White House, and referred to his commitment as a senator to expanding federal Pell Grant availability.

As president, she said, he’d ensure grant money keeps pace with the rising cost of college.

To keep young people active in the voting process, the Obama campaign recently launched a website aimed at registering voters and educating them about the election process.

In campaign offices, registration has been a focal point.

University of Wisconsin junior Stacey Nuzbach , who volunteers at Obama’s Madison office, introduced Obama on the call.

“Voter registration is one of our top priorities, because it’s so critical for us as students to be involved in the political process and to make our voices heard,” she said.