The verdict is in. Barack Obama is officially "the man" once again for the next four years. So how was voter turnout compared to 2008? At this point, it looks significantly lower. With 95 percent of precincts reporting, The Associated Press figures showed more than 117 million people voted, but that number will go up as more votes are counted. In 2008, 131 million people voted, according to the U.S. Federal Election Commission. Much of the drop could have to do with the wake of Hurricane Sandy, where many people on the Eastern seaboard are still without power. As well, thousands who were typically indifferent to politics charged to the polls in 2008 in support of Obama; this year's election lacked that same zeal. But ultimately what affects whether we become politically engaged and vote in elections ? The Washington Post reports that: The single best predictor of whether a person will vote when first eligible and will later become a lifelong voter comes down to one discreet action by that person’s parent: Whether that parent voted in the presidential election just before their child could vote. That's one major influencer. According to the study referenced, parents don't necessarily need to be politically active, they just need to embrace the idea that voting is a privilege and responsibility, particularly just prior to the child's first vote. Research has consistently shown that once that first vote is cast, a person is far more likely to keep voting. So, regardless of your political views and affiliations, the most important thing is that we all exercise our right to vote, and by doing so, we encourage the next generation to do the same. Voting does matter!