For many of us, this November will be our first opportunity to vote in a presidential election. As the time creeps closer, it's going to get easier and easier to convince yourself not to vote; Telling yourself it's inconvenient, I don't care, and it won't make a difference, are just to name a few. Well, here are some common excuses that start popping up this time of year as to why we can't vote and some reasons we need to stop using them and get ourselves to the polls so our voices can be heard.
1. I'm not registered.
Registering to vote is really easy, especially if you're on a college campus. Find a voting rep at your school (just post on Facebook, I promise you'll find one), present a valid ID for your state, sign a couple forms, and boom; a few weeks later your voter's registration card will show up in the mail. Getting registered is the first step. As my mom said a few minutes ago, our generation can't leave it to the geriatrics to get things done the way we need them done. So get registered to vote, either at home or at school and give yourself the opportunity to have your voice heard.
2. I haven't voted in the past few local elections.
It doesn't matter. Vote when you can, on what you can, and forgive yourself for not making it to the polls in the past. For major elections, like the one coming up this November, there will be polling places EVERYWHERE and many actually on college campuses. It's so easy to vote in the presidential election, so, take half an hour and make yourself do it. The more you force yourself out there to use your voting rights, the easier it will become to get yourself to vote in other future elections; get into the habit now, especially with big elections like this one, and never feel guilty for not voting again.
3. I don't have an informed opinion.
Kudos to you for not simply wanting to go with the popular vote, or to choose a candidate based on superficial characteristics, but this is the worst excuse of the bunch. If you're anything like me, the constant bitter back and forth of politics frustrates you to no end, so you avoid it. Unfortunately, this also means not knowing anything about the candidates other than what is gossiped about and splayed on tabloid covers, so it's hard to know who to really put your vote behind. But, we have the better part of ten months to get informed, so stop avoiding the press and do some research to base your opinions on. No matter who you support, you'll be an intelligent voter if you have facts to back up your choice.
4. I don't have time.
Ok, yes, college is busy and stressful and hectic, But we're lying to ourselves if we say we can't find half an hour to stand in line and check a box on a piece of paper. Go during lunch or dinner, or instead of watching another episode of Bob's Burgers on Netflix. It's an amazing time to be alive, when so many kinds of people have the right and the ability to vote, when not so long ago it was all up to the rich white men. Take advantage of this opportunity, and cast the vote so many generations before us worked hard to secure.
5. I don't care about politics.
Well, you should. It's our future, and our potential children's futures, on the line. The truth of the matter is that whomever is elected come November will likely be in office for the next eight years, because it's so hard to beat an incumbent president in an election. This means we'll be close to 30 by the time this person is out of office; and I, for one, am not willing to stand by and let the next almost-decade of my life be determined and influenced by people other than myself. So, even though my choice of presidential candidate may not win, at least I can cast a vote and try to get them in office.
We are one of the largest demographics in the United States, and we are a powerful one. We're young, we're educated, and we're passionate. And we have a different perspective than our parents, and our parents' parents. It's time our voices were heard, and we used our passion and our intelligence to make a tangible difference. This election could be decided by us, if we show up to the polls in strong enough numbers. So, don't use these excuses not to vote. As Nike loves to say, Just Do It.
