Unless you’ve been living under a rock all weekend long, you’re bound to have heard about the monumental vote that the world can’t handle-otherwise known as the “Brexit.” This controversial British exit from the European Union has rattled the global economy, caused the British Prime Minister to resign, and has sparked some conversation on the parallels that can be drawn with the upcoming Presidential Election for the United States in November. No matter which side you support on Britain’s decision to leave or remain in, there are some important points that young American voters should pay attention to in learning how they can accurately be represented in America’s impending decision on the next POTUS.

First of all, we need to show up. I don’t know why, but there is consistently a lack of representation of young people at the polls. If you can sit around and yap about problems, then it is your duty to do something about it. The people whose voices are being represented are not those whose the decision will actually impact that much. The fact is the majority of the people who voted in the UK’s election will not leave their homes much. They aren’t looking for job opportunities in European Countries and they aren’t worried about their ability to move around in Europe. This graph shows the disparity in the voting demographic. American Millennials, I don’t want this graph to be repeated by us in November. If you have an opinion on how the world should be, voice that at the polls.

This graph shows that there is quite a difference in the way people voted when they had a degree versus did not attend higher education. People who go to university see the world a different way than those who don’t. Those who have gone to university valued remaining in the European Union. I don’t know if the actual degree in itself matters, but the fact is, political decisions take thought. The economic fears that many “Remain” supporters were worried about came to fruition. Britain’s economy took the largest dip it has seen in decades, and those who saw the bigger picture and could rationalize the economic plunge thought about more than “a vote for an independent Britain.”

The majority of people that held a passport voted to remain in the European Union. This shows that people who don’t travel are the ones that live in fear and are worried about the European Union’s decisions on immigration and border control. Those with passports and plans to travel around the world value the freedom to travel and continue peaceful relationships with other countries. People who travel more often also tend to see the importance of international issues and see the world in a bigger picture.

Many of the issues that sparked the Brexit are similar issues that are floating around in United States politics. It is up to us to decide how we view immigration, international relations, and issues of the economy. Will we follow in Britain’s footsteps and let a lack of young representation at the polls skew the vote? Will we show ignorance and fear in our views of international relations? I firmly believe that any young and educated voter will see through the scare tactics that a certain Politician uses to gain support, and I hope we will use our voice and our vote to represent that view come Election Day.

Thanks to this blog for helping me out!