Complaining through social media isn't enough when voting exists.
Most teenagers believe and assume the same notion: "I'm just one individual. I only have one voice. I can only deliver one vote. One doesn't do anything, right? I can't alter the nation if I'm just one person."
Now, if we take this disseminated, widespread attitude amongst adolescents and multiply it by 209,128,094, it amounts to a vast number. This is the total number of teenagers of eighteen years and over in the United States as of right now.
Your Vote Matters
As stated earlier, your vote does matter. It counts so much so that the communal "youth vote" could literally sway an election. In fact, millennials have been associated with the decisive vote in the election of 2012 (for Obama) for a double term as president.
He won 67% of the nationwide youth vote in vital voting states such as Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, over his competitor Mitt Romney. In 2016, nominees campaigned arduously for the 18-29 pair, cutting off initiatives to target millennials as an influential and dominant electorate faction. This is simply because they comprehend the requirement of gaining acceptance from this voting majority.
According to statistics, the voting community encompasses nearly identical parts millennials and baby boomers. As the boomer electorate reduces in quantity, specialists imply it is only a matter of time before millennials evolve to be the largest and most critical community leading forthcoming elections in the U.S.
This is concrete evidence of why you should never presume that erroneous impression of "I'm just one person". You're one someone of millions that also think this way, leaving our world intact.
So, let’s gather up a few motives on why we don’t want, but need, teenagers our age to vote:
1. You’re voting for your future quality of living.
Things like accumulating college debt are becoming more and more typical amongst teens. This, as well as an absence of employment are some of the most crippling hits to the economic fortunes of several minor voters after the Great Recession in the 2000s. Though unemployment amounts have decreased and millennials have found their basis in a recent economy, policy modification and reform in regions influencing university scholars, such as debt mercy and healthcare, are as significant now as they were in the election of 2008.
This circumstance won't be rewritten by standing by while the rest of the people formulate crucial political rulings. Juvenile voters who like to stimulate change need to exhibit their backing for the nominees whom they think best exemplify their wants and needs. Who else will vote for teen issues if they’re not voted by teens themselves?
You need to speak for yourself. In this life, no one else will do it for you.
2. Our Generation Holds Diversity
Statistics state that with our diversity, young voters in today’s world will be expected to be the first demographic faction that holds the potential to challenge the fundamental two party system. This can have the ability to drive the need for alternative political parties whom millennials presume can embody the desires of a distinct community through establishing a more extensive protocol. If we’re practically already given the presumption that we can modify this federal administration with just our generation, what are we waiting for?
3. We’re being educated
As each day goes by, more education is being disseminated. Let me explain. For the past several years, and in some cases, still in the present, the art of teaching has been restricted.
Meaning, it has been thrown away or passed around, when in reality, it is the greatest gift life could give us. However, as more teens are welcomed into the world of activism, they recognize how powerful of a weapon knowledge really is.
Teengers are starting to self inform themselves on vital topics when school isn’t there to offer them. More and more vital social media platforms are being utilized for educational purposes. By using these resources, kids can be taught how significant voting really is, and they won't wait until they can write in the ballot themselves.
4. No excuses
Today we’re practically surrounded by technology. Making it impossible to ignore political issues. Even our own President likes to communicate through the mainstream media accounts which all teenagers use.
Whether it be Twitter or Instagram, you name it. This makes news way more accessible for younger generations. Not just to look up further information about the voting process, but even keeping up with daily news.
Sometimes we underestimate the power of being informed on a daily basis, but this is the simplest way to form your own political opinions. This way, when election day comes, you have no excuse.
5. Your present self might not care, but your future self definitely will.
We might think, “Why should I even bother to take action in voting for a Congressperson, a Senate member, or even a President?” Well, sometimes we forget that we grow older by each year that passes us by. Just because my present self doesn’t mean my future self won’t be affected by it. And sure, maybe you won’t end up in college debt like most teens or maybe you’ll have no difficulty in finding employment. But what you’re forgetting is that politics always comes right back to bite you if you ignore it.
You’re entitled to not care about electing a Senator or a Congressperson, but you can’t deny the fact that their future rulings won’t affect you too. If we’re all collectively aware of this fact, we’ll be able to accept it and make better efforts to be part of the process.
6. Taking Action
‘The Best Colleges’ also offers some advice on how to include yourself in the election process: “Some states now make it possible for you to register to vote online, though traditionally voters must register by mail or in person. You can, however, change your address online or via text message in some states, as well as search for polling places near you online. Some states allow voting by mail for local, state, and even presidential elections.
Students who are studying abroad or travelling during the election and thus, not in their home state or even in the U.S., must request an absentee ballot through the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) form. Although they are requesting an absentee ballot from outside of their home state or country, the student must still be registered to vote in their state of residence to be eligible to vote in a U.S. election while away.”
REMEMBER:
You’re never too old, and you’re never too young. Educating oneself isn’t confined by an age limit. If you’re younger than eighteen, start seeing the news everyday.
If you’re older, you can officially take part in the voting process. Remember, one day, your parents won’t be there. You won’t be able to just listen in to their political conversations.
One day your History teacher won’t be present to tell you the morning news. If you think voting won’t do anything, then why do you reckon complaining through social media without showing up to the elections will?
Additional resources:
https://www.thebestcolleges.org/9-reasons-we-need-young-voters-more-than-ever/
How to inscribe to vote:
In Puerto Rico: http://ww2.ceepur.org/Home/?ref=voteusa_es
In United States: https://vote.gov/
