It is 2018. The right to vote has been extended to every adult citizen of the United States for roughly half a century. That means every American ages eighteen and beyond, regardless of race or gender, has a say in the future of this country. Since 1971, the choice of our nation's leaders has been in the hands of the entire country. Unfortunately, we as a generation have been letting a separate and small fraction of the nation speak for us.
Voter turn out statistics in the United States are downright depressing. In fifteen of the biggest cities in this country, the turn out for local elections (mayoral, state senate), was less than twenty percent. Let's state that again for emphasis: less than twenty percent of the citizens in America's biggest cities are voting in elections which directly impact their lives. This number alone is enough to show how small the group electing our officials really is.
The statistics for young votes in America are even more dismal. Over the last few elections, the voting base has been aging steadily. The median age of voters is high and continuing to increase. In the 2016 Presidential election, the median voting age was 52 years old. This means only half of the voters in the last election for President were younger than 52. As soon as a citizen reaches the age of eighteen, they are eligible to vote. There is a large thirty-four-year gap between adulthood and the median voting age, and only half the voters in elections are within it. Young people in America are sitting idly by and watching a different generation make decisions about their future.
There is a great disparity between the voting habits of those above the median age and below it. The struggles both age groups face are unique, and therefore their values and beliefs differ. Both beliefs and struggles are entirely valid. The only difference between the older generation and the younger is that the older one takes their beliefs and acts on them. Young people: We need to begin using our voice before it gets lost completely. Our voting habits now are a whisper, one which hardly influences change. We need to start shouting and begin creating the world we want to see.
No matter which side of the aisle you agree with, use your local elections to directly impact the choices that are made in your area. For my fellow Arizonans, you can start by registering to vote today. You can do this easily online on the Arizona DMV website. Then, on November 6, 2018, come out for your midterm elections. It is so simple to make a difference.
This is our country. We are inheriting it, and are going to be leading it before long. Our future and the future of this country are tied together. The millennial generation is strong, ambitious, and cares deeply for humanity. Every day we are experiencing the struggles of this country and letting the chance to solve these struggles pass us by. Make November 6th different. On this day, we have been given the freedom to choose the future. I'm asking my fellow young adults to stand with me and exercise this freedom for the good of our nation.