Why Millennial Votes Matter This Election | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Young People, Here's Why Our Vote DOES Matter

If you don't feel educated, make sure you GET educated.

93
Young People, Here's Why Our Vote DOES Matter
Kate Nystrom

In This Article:

It seems like these midterm elections were a lot more talked about than in past years; or maybe it's just because I'm older and paying more attention to our country. Personally, I've always been taught that voting is a privilege, a right, and a responsibility. Sometimes, it may seem like our votes don't matter at all. However, if everyone feels this way, then we're hurting our country and our democracy by not casting in our opinions. Even if you think that your one, "small" vote isn't going to make a large change, please don't skip out on the polls. If you don't think you're educated enough to vote, hop on Google for a little bit and do your research. By doing your civic duty (plus, it only takes a few minutes out of your day), you can make big changes for our country.

Every vote counts

Giphy

For something that is such a big deal in our nation, voting is literally one of the EASIEST processes ever. Registering to vote doesn't take long at all, and casting your actual ballot is a piece of cake. The longest part is probably the amount of time it would take you to drive, or even walk to your polling location. A typical excuse I hear people say about why they aren't voting is that "it's just one vote" or "other people are voting, mine won't change anything". This is simply not true. There are PLENTY of other people with the same mindset as this. If everyone voted, it could change a lot of things in this country. Plus, the midterm elections were so close, and we're the one's who can sway those votes.

You might not care now, but you might care in a few years.

Voting Barack Obama GIF by Democratic National Convention - Find & Share on GIPHYGiphy

I always say that, if you didn't vote and you had the opportunity to, you have absolutely no right to complain about who is in office. Sure, you may hate our president, your senator, or even your mayor. However, if you didn't make an effort to vote and make your opinions heard, why are you complaining? As college students, we get stuck in a "bubble", and I think we sometimes forget about the outside world. With these midterm elections, these are the people who are going to still be representing us when we're graduated and into the real world. Even if you don't think these people are affecting you now, think about your future.

Your vote can better the lives of future generations

Giphy

While this may sound a little far-fetched, it's actually true. As generations continue to grow older and form their own opinions, we have the chance to change the country for the better. Obviously, as college Millennial's or Generation Z's, we have nobody from our generation giving us a representation. We have the SAME Baby-Boomer's continuously representing us, and they may not have the same views and opinions are our generation. However, there are people running who you may think represent your views best. Why not take the time to vote them in and change the future of this country? A lot of responsibility is put on us, and we don't even realize it.

This is the one time our voices can be heard together

Giphy

Sorry if it's cheesy, but it's way too true. I've heard way too many people say that they want to see change or new people in office. When voting comes along, that's really the only time you have the chance to do so. Especially with the generations in college, our votes matter more than ever. Even though the midterms have already passed, we can't forget that we will be voting again in just a couple years, and it never becomes less important.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
ross geller
YouTube

As college students, we are all familiar with the horror show that is course registration week. Whether you are an incoming freshman or selecting classes for your last semester, I am certain that you can relate to how traumatic this can be.

1. When course schedules are released and you have a conflict between two required classes.

Bonus points if it is more than two.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

12 Things I Learned my Freshmen Year of College

When your capability of "adulting" is put to the test

4930
friends

Whether you're commuting or dorming, your first year of college is a huge adjustment. The transition from living with parents to being on my own was an experience I couldn't have even imagined- both a good and a bad thing. Here's a personal archive of a few of the things I learned after going away for the first time.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Economic Benefits of Higher Wages

Nobody deserves to be living in poverty.

303497
Illistrated image of people crowded with banners to support a cause
StableDiffusion

Raising the minimum wage to a livable wage would not only benefit workers and their families, it would also have positive impacts on the economy and society. Studies have shown that by increasing the minimum wage, poverty and inequality can be reduced by enabling workers to meet their basic needs and reducing income disparities.

I come from a low-income family. A family, like many others in the United States, which has lived paycheck to paycheck. My family and other families in my community have been trying to make ends meet by living on the minimum wage. We are proof that it doesn't work.

Keep Reading...Show less
blank paper
Allena Tapia

As an English Major in college, I have a lot of writing and especially creative writing pieces that I work on throughout the semester and sometimes, I'll find it hard to get the motivation to type a few pages and the thought process that goes behind it. These are eleven thoughts that I have as a writer while writing my stories.

Keep Reading...Show less
April Ludgate

Every college student knows and understands the struggle of forcing themselves to continue to care about school. Between the piles of homework, the hours of studying and the painfully long lectures, the desire to dropout is something that is constantly weighing on each and every one of us, but the glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel helps to keep us motivated. While we are somehow managing to stay enrolled and (semi) alert, that does not mean that our inner-demons aren't telling us otherwise, and who is better to explain inner-demons than the beloved April Ludgate herself? Because of her dark-spirit and lack of filter, April has successfully been able to describe the emotional roller-coaster that is college on at least 13 different occasions and here they are.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments