Whether you identify as conservative, liberal, or anything in between, there's one thing that we all can agree on- the 2016 presidential election has redefined the status quo of politics. It doesn't matter who you're voting for or what party you support, we all want to see some aspect of change in the way America works, and that exact desire fuels this election.
This election has kicked tradition to the curb to make way for change in many respects- starting with the candidates from each party. Each party this voting season has surprised the world by encompassing women, people who had no political experience, professors, doctors, African-Americans and business people. These candidates, regardless of how you personally felt about their politics, have broken down barriers and have given people hope in the form of a new idea for what the President of the United States can be. This new trend is a huge step forward in itself for parties all around.
Narrowing in on the particular candidates, many of their messages also spoke to change in the world of politics. The candidates all had their ideal level of reform in mind; ranging from simply making changes to return America to a previous time, all the way to advocating for an entire political revolution. Every candidate weighed in on their ideas for reform in areas such as immigration, taxes, healthcare, foreign policy and education- all vital parts of the success of America and also all topics that voters are expecting a change in.
With every candidate competing to encompass the perfect level of change, there has been an incredible amount of people getting involved to chime in on the political change conversation. More than 60 million Americans cast their vote in the 2016 Presidential primaries- about 27 percent of the population of eligible voters. Also, more Americans than ever voted in the Republican Party primaries, with 30.2 million of eligible Americans voting in the Republican primaries. This number is significantly up from 2000 when only 20 million (8 percent) voters turned out in the Republican primaries. Not only are just more Republicans voting, but millennials are also jumping full force into this election.
The millennials getting involved in creating change in America is a game changer since they recently outnumbered the generation known as the baby-boomers to become the largest generation alive in America. In New York alone, around 408,000 18-29-year-olds cast their vote in the 2016 presidential primary, making up a 14 percent share of total voters, surpassing the 12 percent record set in 2000.
The world is always evolving so change is inevitable. The idea of changing long-standing traditions in the political realm used to seem scary. However, the 2016 election cycle has shown that Americans are more ready than ever for some progress. Not only are Americans lobbying for change through methods such as social media platforms, but the future leaders of America are listening, as well as responding. Every voice can lead to change, and the 2016 Presidential election is evidence of persistence paying off.
