For many youths, politics are uninteresting and, to them, not worth their time. That is how I felt not too long ago. I wondered why I should care about big politicians who were so lionized by the press that they seemed more like celebrities than politicians and more like children bickering than adults debating. However, as a young person, I have realized that whether or not I agree with how politicians conduct themselves, as one of 80 million millennials I have an impact on local, state, and national politics and that ultimately, just like anyone else my vote matters because my future matters.
Due to the media's new favorite pastime, millennial bashing, there is a belief among older generations that the turnout for youth voters is lower for millennials than any other generation. We have been branded as entitled, lazy, narcissistic, and just about any other negative attribute a generation can have...however that is a whole different article. Despite what is thought about millennials, in terms of voting we have a turnout that is nearly identical to the baby boomers, the very generations that criticize us about it. For example, “In 1976, when boomers were between 18 and 30 years old, their turnout rate was 50 percent. In 2008, 51 percent of millennials — ages 18 to 28 at the time —“ Of course 50 percent is not ideal, but at the same time the baby boomers are in no place to criticize us. Something that should be asked is why only around 50 percent? What makes the youth less inclined to vote than those older than them?
For some youth, their absence at the polls may be due to a disinterest in politics. At 18 and even during college years many youths are still not fully independent, many of us have never lived away from home or had to worry about the economy or healthcare because our parents worry about that for us. Additionally, many millennials feel that candidates in big elections seem to ignore them despite the fact that we are about 80 million strong. Others feel that their vote is so insubstantial when taking the electoral college into consideration that they think “why bother?” and so they don't. However, being disheartened by the electoral collage is not a good reason to not go out and vote. Millennials, “...have been hit particularly hard by the economy, and we are the first generation in modern history to have higher levels of poverty and unemployment and lower levels of wealth and personal income than the two immediate preceding generations had at the same stage of their lives.” We have a reason to vote and stay active in the political community. I'm not saying that we have to go from door to door campaigning for our chosen candidates or attend rallies, but every election is an opportunity to help create change that we want to see in our country, and if you think about it, voting is a little bit of a selfish matter because at the end of the day you're voting for candidates that will make America the way you want it and that is OK.
If you feel discouraged about the presidential vote, that is understandable. Though your vote does matter in the election of a president, millions of people participate which can make it hard to really feel like your vote matters. However, get involved with your local elections and your state elections where your vote can really feel like you are making a difference. Big changes often come about due to a conglomerate of small changes so whether you are supporting small changes in local elections or are feeling small in your presidential vote, every time you vote you are contributing to your future and the welfare of our country. So remember, the youth vote matters.
