For me, small talk with people often leads to politics. An adult or peer will make idle talk of the weather before I am asked where I go to school, and inevitably, my major. I changed my major to political science early in my freshman year because of my passion for government and the American political system. The more I talk to others and read furious Facebook posts, the more I realize that not everyone feels the same way as I do, understandably so. That is why I write this piece.
Regardless of everything – of the current presidential race, of politicians, of your contentment with office, of your conviction that government doesn’t work - vote.
This is a plea to everyone, but especially millennials and younger people, to get involved in the political process. We are the ones who will be paying off student loans, and we are the ones who hope to start families and buy houses. If you think this political climate might make those things difficult, vote to change it. If you believe the system we have is working, vote to keep it in place. Our representatives are in office to help you and we have the power to replace them if they aren’t doing their job.
Voting is a right, but it not something all people have. If you are a minority of any kind, there have been people before you that earned the right to vote for you. Do not forget that and appreciate the opportunity you have been given. The United States is an incredible country where we as individuals have influence.
We can be wrapped up in national elections, and we forget the importance of local and state level government. You have the power to vote for your school board, state house of representatives, mayors and the list goes on. When you go into your polling place in November, be prepared and vote for someone you believe in.
When it comes down to it, maybe it is not regardless of the frustrations and the satisfaction, but because of them, that I will always vote and why you should, too.
If you need information such as how to register, where to vote, deadline and election information you can find it at http://www.rockthevote.com/.
If you live in Pennsylvania, you can register to vote at https://www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us/pages/VoterRegistrationApplication.aspx; the last day to register for the 2016 election is October 11, 2016.
If you are unsure of what politicians you are in most agreement with or your political alignment https://www.isidewith.com/ and http://www.gotoquiz.com/politics/political-spectrum-results-alt.html can help, respectively.
