From your parents basement to the polling place: why you should vote

By Samantha Quinones

As a new adult, or soon to be adult, voting might not be on the top of your bucket list. I get it, you can buy a lottery ticket now! I mean, why vote when you can possibly be a millionaire right?

This mentality is not uncommon, but it should be addressed.

As an American citizen, voting is your right and duty, and especially as a young adult, your vote matters more than you might think. General elections are often the most focused on, but state and local elections can actually have a far bigger impact on your day to day life, as officials elected there often make policies which are more concentrated to your area.

Today, lets discuss why teenagers need to get involved with the upcoming election.

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Your Questions: Answered

Q: Why should I vote?

A: When you vote, you exercise your natural right as a US citizen and truly become a member of the society you helped build. 

Young people are the most influential in the country, and as shown by CIRCLE’s research, the only reason why it seems like youth don’t vote often is because of uneven civic education opportunities. When the youth took charge in 2018 in states such as Wisconsin, Nevada, and Montana, they were able to decide key statewide races. 

Q: What should I do before I vote?

A: Educate yourself, then cast your vote.

You never want to be an uneducated voter. You are ultimately choosing who will be making decisions that will either effect your day to day life or the future of the country, and you should not leave anything to chance.

If you can persuade others based on your own reliable research, and your own opinion, you set off a whole chain reaction of others participating in the democratic process that could possibly determine the future of your country. 

If you want to have a big impact, focus your energy on showing your research to people in “swing” states (states with more electoral votes) and spread the word through social media or large social gatherings. 

Early civic engagement can also benefit you when you vote in the future.

Civic engagement includes volunteering, helping your neighborhood community, working with social movements, or even just reading the news. 

Anything that helps you understand different ways of life and gain diverse experience will automatically make you a more responsible voter for when the time comes. Always look at both sides of an issue before coming to conclusions about where you stand.

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If you want your voice to have a major impact, help educate everyone and anyone. While you might not become a millionaire, you will join millions of American citizens as they participate in the democratic process.

So vote today, and contribute to the future of our nation!

Register to Vote Today!: vote.gov

If you want to learn more about youth voting and its impact check out circle: CIRCLE - Tufts University 

Learn about political issues from a nonpartisan standpoint: procon.org