The year I became eligible to vote also happened to be the year of the last presidential election. Almost immediately after I turned eighteen I registered to vote in my home state. The first time I ever voted I got a sticker when I left that said "I Voted Early" and I wore it on my forehead for the rest of the day.
I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to take part in a historic event. As much as I loved being able to vote, showing up at the polls made me realize how little I knew about my state and local governments. I knew minimal information about the candidates if any. I also realized that throughout my life the importance of voting had been stressed time and time again, but the significance of learning about candidates had not.
Recently I have been volunteering with a nonpartisan organization called NextGen that works to mobilize young voters. Through this work, I have come to understand that there is an extremely large generational gap in the bureaucratic system of this country. Not only are young people uneducated about their representatives, they are apathetic towards politics entirely. I think the indifference is caused by a lack of encouragement and enthusiasm around voting nowadays.
Too many people, especially budding adults, feel overwhelmed with the government instead of excited about it. A considerable chunk of our population has forgotten that the government is supposed to work for us. Every citizen that is employed through federal or local government is supposed to work for us, for everyone. It is easy to get discouraged by the course of political action, but perseverance is so inexplicably crucial.
Another reason I think many choose not to vote is because they don't actually understand our system. They have been told things like "one vote won't make a difference" or "things won't change regardless". These are lies. Races have been won by a single vote. Others decide they don't want to be involved with legislature because they aren't affected by the decisions made by people in power. You should want to vote for more than personal gain. I should not have to sit here and explain why it's important to care for other human beings. The idea that we will not be personally affected by choices made by representatives and therefore should not vote is frankly the stupidest thing I have ever heard. ANY decision made by government officials waterfalls to us, as inhabitants of this country. Regardless of race, economic rank, citizenship status, etc. if you are living in this country the government affects you.
I think that some young people believe it's "trendy" to be uninvolved, to be unaware. It is not. Just yesterday a college-age man told me he "doesn't believe in voting" because he's "a crazy hippie and just wants people to be happy." You know what makes people happy, you unoriginal apathetic white man? Rights.
How you vote is up to you, but just go out and do it. Apathy isn't trendy, or cool, or edgy. Being politically apathetic is a waste.
