It’s known that young people don’t vote a lot, but it isn’t because they don’t want to. It’s a combination of reasons like confusing voting registration rules, polling places getting moved, and feeling uneducated in civics has made it harder for younger citizens to vote.
As more and more youth are interested in registering to vote, the youth can have an impact on the change they’d like to see happen because they are the next generation of leaders and voters. The important impact of young voters is that “they say young voters are coming out more than ever before to make their voice heard,” shared retired Kenwood History teacher Mr. Williams. “Most are very passionate about what they stand for. A lot of young voters care a lot about climate change and the safety of guns. School shootings woke up a lot of people.”
Overall, one thing young voters share in common is feeling like they can accomplish change with their vote. With more young voters than ever before, it’s our generation’s chance to open a new pathway of unity and democracy for the country that we are living in. We have a sense of contributing to the issues of the present and beyond in the future. According to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University, “New analysis of young voter turnout indicates a higher percentage of adults under the age of 30 cast ballots in this fall’s presidential election than any other election in history” (Pransky).
Though young, today’s youth is more aware of the role of politics than possibly any generation before it as evident by the high youth voter turnout in this election. Today’s youth knows what they want for their future. They might have four or less years to vote but most of them know what they want to see in the next years and they will be looking for future presidential candidates that reflect their values.
They want to see change, equality, and peace from their leaders. They want the world to become a better place for them. Kenwood Graduate Nygel B shares, “We need leaders to work with us to create a movement of our time going forward that’s positive and inspirational. That’s the future we want to create.” Students know what they want, and they look forward to having the voice of their vote heard in the future.
Kenwood AVID teacher Ms. James helped a handful of Kenwood students register to vote for the first time in the last presidential election of 2020 and hopes to have the same influence again. James thinks it’s beneficial for the government to see younger people vote. “Unfortunately, until this age group consistently votes in masses, the needs of this group will be ignored by politicians. The reason why all legislation is skewed toward helping older Americans is because they always vote.”
The deadline to register to vote is October 15 so if you’re eligible to vote it would be a great idea to do so. For extra questions about registering to vote reach out to Ms. James or Mr. Woodward. Voting is how as citizens we make our voices heard.
To register to vote you use the QR Code above or mail a paper application to the County Board of Elections.
Sources
Pransky, Noah. “How Record-Setting Youth Turnout in the 2020 Election Surpassed 2016 Levels.” NBC Connecticut. NBC Universal Media. 10 November 2020. Web. Accessed 11 November 2020.
This story was originally published in 2020.
Updated September 2024.
