VOA慢速英语2018--堪萨斯青少年放弃州长竞选

Kansas Teenagers Out of Governor Race

The American state of Kansas held its primary election on Tuesday. Results from primaries determine which candidates will represent political parties in the general election in November.

Tyler Ruzich was one of the candidates for Kansas governor. He hoped to become the Republican Party’s nominee¹.

On Tuesday afternoon, he and his running mate went to their local voting station. Later, he held a watch party for friends and supporters.

But Ruzich did not get to vote for himself -- or for anyone else. At just 17 years of age, he is still too young.

The minimum voting age in the United States is 18.

“You don’t have to vote to be a voter,” Ruzich told some of his friends at his election watch party. “Being here means you’re a voter...and that you’re standing² by someone you support.”

Ruzich was not the only candidate too young to vote in the primary election. Seventeen-year-old Jack³ Bergeson ran as a candidate for the Democratic Party’s nomination⁴. And Joseph Tutera, also 17, hoped to represent the Republican Party in November.

In total, six Kansas teenagers had declared their candidacy for governor. They did so after discovering last year that the Kansas constitution does not have a minimum age requirement to run for office.

Kansas has since passed a law requiring future candidates to be at least 18 years of age.

The teenage gubernatorial candidates gained national media attention. They also helped bring attention to voting issues in their state. The nonprofit organization Rock the Vote considers Kansas to be a “blocker” state. That means there are many barriers to voter registration⁵.

None of the teenage candidates won their primary races on Tuesday. But they believe they inspired more young people to take part in elections and vote.

Joseph Tutera said the state saw a higher turnout than usual for primary elections.

“We’re actually having something like the highest voter turnout in 14 years for the primary and I’d like to think that’s because of me,” Tutera told VOA.

Jack Bergeson conceded the Democratic primary race Tuesday night. He said even though he did not win, he met many of his goals.

“I was able to stand on a stage and debate a lot of the big names in the state and I was really able to show that there is a difference between the establishment and uncorrupted candidates,” Bergeson told VOA.

I'm Ashley Thompson.

Words in This Story

running mate - n. the person who runs with someone in an election (such as an election to choose a new president) and who is given the less important position (such as vice⁶ president) if they are elected

minimum - adj. the lowest number or amount that is possible or permitted

gubernatorial - adj. of or relating to the governor of a U.S. state or to the position of governor

concede - v. to admit that you have been defeated and stop trying to win

stage - n. a raised platform in a theater, auditorium⁷, etc., where the performers stand

1 nominee   

n.被提名者；被任命者；被推荐者

参考例句：

• His nominee for vice president was elected only after a second ballot.他提名的副总统在两轮投票后才当选。
• Mr.Francisco is standing as the official nominee for the post of District Secretary.弗朗西斯科先生是行政书记职位的正式提名人。

2 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

3 jack   

n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克

参考例句：

• I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。
• He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。

4 nomination   

n.提名，任命，提名权

参考例句：

• John is favourite to get the nomination for club president.约翰最有希望被提名为俱乐部主席。
• Few people pronounced for his nomination.很少人表示赞成他的提名。

5 registration   

n.登记，注册，挂号

参考例句：

• Marriage without registration is not recognized by law.法律不承认未登记的婚姻。
• What's your registration number?你挂的是几号？

6 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

7 auditorium   

n.观众席，听众席；会堂，礼堂

参考例句：

• The teacher gathered all the pupils in the auditorium.老师把全体同学集合在礼堂内。
• The stage is thrust forward into the auditorium.舞台向前突出，伸入观众席。