Why You Should Vote

Election season is coming up soon this year! Will you be 18 years old by November 5th, 2024? I highly recommend that you register to vote, which you can do here if you didn’t know. Registration is available in Spanish and other common languages and will only take a few minutes, but last a lifetime. If you aren’t 18 yet, you can still register now and you will receive voting ballots when you are of age.

Your vote matters, whether you can tangibly see it or not. There is a reason why oppressed groups have fought so hard for the guaranteed American right to vote – because it is precious. In the past, elections have been decided by meager margins. For example, in the 2000 Bush v. Gore election, Bush only won by 5 Electoral College votes. Some may argue that an individual’s vote doesn’t matter. The Electoral College weighs certain states more than others, along with other flaws, which can make voting feel hopeless. However, your vote is your power in our government and should be done anyway. 

Voting in America covers more than the presidential election – local elections are where an individual can make a difference. Few Americans vote for their smaller offices; this means that your vote counts so much more! This isn’t to say that you don’t make a difference in large elections, but these local elections directly affect your community. The primaries determine who the presidential candidates are, so you can make a difference before the big day. If you are unhappy with the main two choices, consider casting your vote earlier and more often.

Young people between the ages of 18-29 are the least represented voting bracket. In the 2020 Biden v. Trump election, only about half of voters within this age range voted (which includes 18-year-old seniors in high school!). How can we make a difference in this country when we are not properly representing ourselves? While it seems far away now, you will pay taxes soon and for the rest of your life. Elections determine where this money goes. Specifically, your vote determines who determines where your tax dollars go. Research the people running and their values before elections and vote for who you agree with the most. If you aren’t voting, you let other people decide for you. 

Passively allowing others to decide is not how someone advocates for themself. FGHS Renaissance and U.S. History teacher Travis Tocher says, “If you choose not to vote, you shouldn’t complain – because participating in elections is not just a right but a responsibility.” Laws not only impact you but everyone in your community and country. A say in the government is a right that not all countries allow their citizens. While there are certainly issues with our current system, if we do not vote, there is no hope for change. If you can, please consider voting in this year’s elections and the future.