The Importance of Voting
Introduction
Election season is beginning in America - from county elections to the much-anticipated presidential election next year, the ballots don’t stop! Some people are very gung-ho about voting, while others don’t vote at all. However, voting is incredibly important - it’s not just your civil duty, but a way to actually lobby for the change you want to see.
Why Should I Vote?
We get it - election season is stressful. Everyone seems to have an opinion they need to share, the obnoxious political yard signs are everywhere, and your relatives become particularly intolerable on Facebook. It’s much easier to just avoid the news and wait for the whole thing to pass. However, voting is a right and a duty that’s far too important not to take advantage of - even if you don’t manage to vote in every local election, there are issues at stake at the state and federal levels that can and will affect you directly. Maybe you can’t stay up to date on every single issue; maybe you don’t have the time or the emotional bandwidth. That’s fine! But it is important to know things like which issues your state is voting on yearly and the basic positions of the various presidential candidates. You don’t have to watch every debate or keep up with every politician - a little googling a few weeks before the election is enough.
Does My Vote Really Matter?
In short, yes! I have heard many young people claim that their individual vote doesn’t matter, and it’s just not true. The turnout of young voters (aged 18 - 29) rose from 44% to 55% between the 2016 and 2020 elections, and in 2020 a few states, like Georgia, made surprise turnabouts from their usual party majority. It was all due to young voters! Whenever you feel that it’s too much of a hassle to get to the polls, remember that not all groups could always exercise the right to vote: women and racial minorities historically had to fight tirelessly for the right to represent the American people, and that is something everyone should proudly remember today!
How Do I Vote?
To vote in any election, you’ll need a government issued ID. If you’re a first-time voter, you’ll also need to register in your precinct - you can find your precinct and polling location here, if you’re not sure. You can also register to vote online, or request an absentee ballot if you need to vote from somewhere outside your precinct, including abroad. If you are a green card holder, unfortunately you cannot vote, as you must be a US citizen over the age of 18 to do so. There are also resources available online for those with disabilities preventing from making it to the polls. Don’t know who or what to vote for? There are resources online for that, too! The government and the people want people like you to vote - our democratic system depends on it!
Conclusion
The importance of voting can’t be oversold. No matter your political alignment, your personal beliefs, or your hopes for the future, the most surefire and direct way to express all of them is to take action. So do your part, and head to the polls!
Sources:
Stastista Research Department. “Youth Voter Turnout in Presidential Elections U.S. 1972-2020.” Statista, 3 Nov. 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/984745/youth-voter-turnout-presidential-elections-us/.
