As young voters, we get a bad reputation when it comes to our voting habits. Apathetic, lazy and uninterested are just a few words used to describe our generation’s attitude towards the political process.
Have we actually earned this reputation or have we been unfairly stereotyped? According to CIRCLE, a nonpartisan research center at Tufts University, youth voter turnout during the 2008 election was the highest seen in thirty years. Between 49.3 and 54.5 percent of eligible voters between the ages of 18-29 voted – that’s almost 24 million people. However, when compared to the rest of the country, that still left the youth vote lagging far behind other age groups, especially seniors who had a 70% turnout rate.
The statistics are definitely not on our side, and by the time this article is published the next President of the United States has been decided. Can you say that you had something to do with that? If you did not and you still firmly believe that your vote does not count, here are just a few reasons why you should care about casting your ballot.
Many young voters feel that what happens in D.C., stays in D.C., and that politics has very little effect on their daily lives. They couldn’t be more wrong.
You must have heard something about the unemployment rate being high resulting in many recent college grads moving back home after school since they could not get a job. If you don’t want that to be you, hopefully you got out there and voted for the candidate you think will put forth the best effort to fix the economy.
For those of you who have actually had a paying job, you might have noticed a 7.5% chunk being deducted from your paycheck. That nice little cut goes towards Social Security and Medicare, which both Republicans and Democrats agree our generation will not benefit from if something does not change.
On a more serious note, the youth in this country are those serving in the military. It is those young men and women who have given their lives to protect our freedoms, including the right to vote in the United States and across the world. If you are old enough to die for your country, you are old enough to decide who is going to lead it.
Another common misconception that must be debunked is the notion that one vote does not count. While it is true that your personal vote will not tip the results of the electoral college towards one candidate or the other in anything but a very close election, the government and politicians running for office see what age groups are voting.
Especially on a local level, this helps them decide who to cater towards because they are the ones going out to vote. Why would a politician try and satisfy the needs and desires of the younger generation if they know they are not the ones that are voting?
Additionally, local elections have direct impact on our lives. For example, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently passed a ban on sugary beverages over 16 ounces through the NY Board of Health. Politics just came between you and your large Coke at the movies and your Venti caramel Frappuccino that you need to help you pull those all-nighters.
Politics isn’t just about the big momentous events. As young voters we have a responsibility to educate ourselves and those around us to ensure the best for our generation’s future. So now that you agree that voting is important, make sure you get out and rock the vote next time around.