I like to believe that I spend a good portion of my time at the gym. My machine of choice is the elliptical, and every time I start my workout I like to count how many of the TVs are on news stations. Since the beginning of the semester, each time I've made my way to the gym, at least one of those TVs is talking about the upcoming election. Along with many of my fellow classmates, this will be the first presidential election that I am eligible to vote in. That is a big deal, right?
Also like many of my fellow classmates, a lot of my focus is turned to schoolwork, extracurricular activities and sleeping. Sometimes we do not have a lot of free time, and usually if we do, it isn’t focused on what is going on in the political world.
A countless number of times I have already been asked what I think of the candidates and who I think I will vote for. It has been extremely awkward to explain that I don’t have the slightest clue of what is going on. I have been given horrified looks and the terrible question, “Don’t you care who our President is?”
As an American citizen, yes of course I care! But at 18 and as a current freshman in college, I have a lot on my plate. For myself personally, I am more focused on figuring out what I want to do for the rest of my life, than the election that does not occur for another eight months.
Every election, the younger generation of voters is always given a hard time because a majority of us end up not voting. I believe that it is because at that age range, we are still discovering who we are and how the world works. We still need time to figure out what we personally believe will help make our country great. Some members of our generation feel so pressured to vote that they don’t even vote for who they particular want to vote for. In my mind, I wonder which is worse.
American citizens are blessed with the freedom to vote for their leaders. Lets not take that away from our younger generation or belittle them for their lackluster interest because they are still taking the time to figure it all out. Not all of us are so unsure. There are younger voters who have been able to follow along and take quite an interest in politics. I say power to you. That is their choice, and I respect that.
The 2016 presidential election is our first presidential voting experience, and it will not be our last. Please just respect that not all of us are up to date on what is going on in the polls. Remember that we do care, but not all of us are ready to take on the responsibility of voting, and we just want that to be accepted among the public. When we are ready, I promise you that we will be there on voting day, but until then, focus on what you want, because your vote matters just as much as ours.
