Turning 18 is a huge milestone toward adulthood and legally you can do many things like get a tattoo, serve in a jury, buy fireworks and join the military. Arguably, the most important on the list is to vote.
Voting is a privilege that only few citizens can count on to have their voice heard when choosing someone to represent them. In the United States, voting is a right listed (four separate times) within the constitution.
Candidates, whether presidential or their statehood counterparts, spend billions of dollars on rallies and ad campaigns to receive votes. Nonetheless, the number of voters of all ages continues to decrease in spite of the increase in spending. Within that decline, the youngest age group, 18-24, has seen the steepest decrease.
In a report done by the U.S. Census Bureau, America’s youngest voters have become the least engaged over time as voting rates dropped from 50.9 percent in 1964 to 38 percent in 2012. In the 2012 elections, there were 64 million eligible millennial voters, however only 26 percent of them voted according to The Center for American Progress.
So why are millennials less likely to vote? Maybe young people feel their vote doesn’t mean anything or maybe it’s because they don’t have much at stake. According to an article by The Economist, young people getting married, buying homes and having kids later, there is no reason to have direct in how hospitals or school districts are run.
With more ways than ever to get information, young voters are able to get informed and do research online to educate themselves about the candidates.
If you are hitting the polls for the first time this November, here are some helpful tips from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission:
1. Register to Vote
Most states require you to be registered in order to vote. If you are not registered to vote, apply for voter registration no later that the deadline to register in your State. The National Mail Voter form is available at http://www.eac.gov/voter_resources/register_to_vot.... To register online, visit https://vote.usa.gov/.
2. Confirm your registration status
If you are registered to vote, check your status with your State or local elections office several weeks before the last day to register to vote.
3. Know your polling place location and hours
If you vote at a polling place on election day, confirm your polling location. It’s important you know when your polling place opens and closes.
4. Know your state’s identification (ID) requirements
Some states require voters show and ID to vote. You can find out what forms of ID your State accepts by searching online.
5. Check the accessibility of your polling place
If you are a voter with minority language needs or special needs or have specific concerns due to a disability, your polling place may offer special assistance. Contact your local elections office for advice, materials in a specific language, information about voting equipment, and details on access to the polling place, including parking.
6. Consider voting early
Some States allow voting in person before election day. Find out when, where and how you can vote before election day by searching online.
7. Understand absentee voting requirements
If you go to school out of state, most States allow voters to use an absentee ballot (depending on the circumstances). Absentee ballots often must be returned or postmarked before the polls close on election day.
