Why You Should Vote
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

I Don't Know Who You Are, But I Know That You Need To Vote

Believe me, it counts.

87
Cat

I'm lucky to grow up in a family that still votes. Seeing my parents vote gave me a very closed sliver of insight on what the election process looked like. Now that I'm over 18, I find myself registering official documents that most 18-year-olds do, like voting... right?

Well, not really. To put it briefly, people 18-29 are the least likely to vote. In fact, from previous records, we have voted the least in the elections. That means a whole section of representation for the needs and endeavors we hope have been expunged from the national record. We are unacknowledged to a large extent because we refuse to put ourselves out there.

Because of this, don't you think it's hypocritical to say that the country is turning towards foul ideas when we ourselves never did anything to create change? I'm not saying everyone is mandated to go into the streets and start rioting for the things they want, but I am saying that the simplest and often times most recognized way to make change is by crossing off a few checkboxes from a ballot — voting.

A lot of people have told me that they believe voting to be useless because at the end of the day, their voices don't matter. I don't know how much more I can emphasize the toxicity of this mindset. Believing that you don't have a voice plays a major role in extinguishing your voice.

Maybe our voice is diminished in large numbers, like in the general elections. I have two arguments for this.

One, it's not just about your voice, it's about the thousands of other 18-year-olds who also think their voices don't matter. When it comes to wide-scale events like this, when you take out this many peoples' voices, you don't hear any sound from us at all. We can definitely go about angrily messaging each other on Messenger about how the elections didn't turn out in our favor, but those voices won't be acknowledged by the government. We need to take steps in putting our voices out there through tangible means.

Two, voting isn't just about the general election. It's so much more than that. There are smaller-scale elections for governors and senators where the voting population sample is a lot smaller. In those cases, it can be one or two votes that can drastically change the outcomes.

The important thing to take away in all this is that we shouldn't be hasty in determining what change will happen from one vote. It doesn't work like that; nothing big or momentous works like that. Instead, if you look at the change of mindset over time, not only do you see a shift of power and morals in our country, but you also see a major change in our very social fabric — the way we think, the way we educate our kids, the content that pervades into social media. All of these things can happen because someone in a position of power fought for these changes — and our moral obligation is to pick someone that we trust to support the morals we stand for.

I may not know you but I will earnestly ask you to vote.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

13603
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

944193
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

121450
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments