United States politics, though a topic of interest globally, are not always at the forefront of the minds of the younger generations. It has been this way for decades: the new voters are less likely to go out to the polls. During presidential election years, those numbers go up exponentially, however even still we fall up short.
The voter demographic shows that as of the previous presidential election year, only 40 percent of eligible, young voters participated in contrast to the 70 percent of the elderly population. Based on maturity levels and life experience, it makes sense that there would be a gap in favor of the seasoned voters, however a 30% difference is huge.
So, why are there so few voters from the ages of eighteen to twenty-nine?
After consulting with an article in The Economist that tried to explain this issue that seems to effect more than just the United States, I was introduced to a handful of reasons that could explain this phenomena. However, the most likely one that I've come across is rather sad. The Economist said that, "Yet perhaps the most depressing explanation is simply that in many places, young people do not feel that there is anyone worth voting for." I personally believe that to be the case. Up until recently, the young vote has not been thoroughly craved by candidates, so they have not spent much time worrying about what they could do for this generation. We're just kids, after all.
However, we can make a difference if we get out to the polls. The millennial generation makes up just under 17 percent of the total population (18-29: 53.7 million (16.7 percent). This being said, if we boost the number of young voters participating, we could potentially make the difference in a neck and neck election.
There are estimated to be 4.3 million (iOS) + 5.25 million (Android) = 9.55 million total daily U.S. users playing Pokémon Go. There aren't any statistics on how many of these are of voting age, whether or not the people are registered to vote, nor does it take into account that some people of older generations might be playing, however it's likely that a good portion of these 9.55 million people were growing up when Pokémon was popular. This would put us back in the 1990s and early 2000s, making the primary audience young adults at this point.
If the polling stations became pokestops, the increase of voter participation could increase. It would give players an incentive to stand in line for hours, other than just the satisfaction of doing their duty as a citizen. That's what young people need: incentive. They need an incentive to educate themselves because we live in a society where we're taught that your opinion at a young age isn't as valuable as those of the older generations. It's frustrating for young people to stand up and voice their beliefs while constantly shot down by our elders, thus making it easier on everyone for us to remain quiet.
However, if there is another reason for us to go to the voting polls and participate, I believe that our attention will be grabbed exponentially more. Pokemon Go has increased activity in youth by a wide margin, and it has stimulated many conversations. Why couldn't it do the same for politics?
Either way, young people need to be encouraged to go to the polls, and if this could work, why not try it? The country is split down the middle politically, and no matter who you vote for, go out and vote. Your voice matters.
