Last week, I voted for the first time in a U.S. presidential race. I can distinctly remember, as a child, looking forward to being able to vote—though mostly just because it came with being grown up. I never imagined that my vote would come with so much stress and anticipation for what its result could lead to. I never imagined that I would feel the need to actively educate and convince those around me to vote for the first time, too.
I think there are a lot of misconceptions and confusion surrounding voting for the college-aged and younger generation of voters. For many of us, this is the first time we’ve had to seriously consider voting as something that will actually impact our lives. Unlike several generations before us, the consequences of this current political cycle seem far more severe and will continue to affect us for decades as we become more aware of the world beyond our immediate scope. We grew up in one of the most politically heated environments in history; there is more division, tension, hate, and suspense surrounding candidates and campaigns than ever before. The media has only amplified this to an even greater extent. And yet, it’s hard to think of ourselves as being important in the grand scheme of things.
Yes, people tell us to vote, but what can one little ballot really do? Voting still seems far out of reach for us. We aren’t knowledgeable enough about the state of our economy or our foreign relationships with other countries, and even if we tried to be, our sources of information have become so convoluted that it’s hard to get a straight and reliable answer from anyone. The big, important words circulating from politicians and the media about our data, and the actions or intentions of one candidate or another, are unfamiliar and impersonal to us. We aren’t in control of our own lives, much less the political decisions that guide them.
All of these inner thoughts and misconceptions play inside my mind and the minds of many people like me as we try to navigate the current political atmosphere, and I want to remind us why every vote matters — to remember why this institution was created in the first place. According to the League of Women Voters, voters aged 18-34 make up about ⅕ of the American electorate. As voters in the early stages of adulthood, we have the freshest perspectives on the state of things, are typically the most diverse voting group, and are the next generation of leaders. Our voice represents what we want for our future. Without using it, how can we hope to implement it? Our wide diversity across gender, race, sexuality, ethnicity, and identity allows us to see a wider range of perspectives and more representation when it comes to inclusive policy and problem-solving.
As someone raised in this generation, I recognize the general distrust and disgust we feel toward both politicians and the government. However, the people who will be left to deal with the aftermath of political decisions are going to be us and our future children. We are the change. We are the only ones who know what future we want to live in. To vote is to fulfill your civic duty, to create the world you want, and to ensure our voice is heard. The media wants us to underestimate the power of our vote because they know how powerful and committed to change the young vote is. Every vote always counts, and your voice always deserves to be heard.