Why You Need To Vote | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Why You Need To Vote

This is America, baby!

175
Why You Need To Vote
Unsplash

According to the US Census, only about 40% of 18 to 29-year-olds voted in the 2016 election while over 70% of 60+-year-olds voted. Now, mostly all millennials in the country are eligible to vote. As Trump would say, "this is huge". So much is at risk in this upcoming midterm election and if all of us voted, we can make a big impact on the future of this country.

So, what's at stake? 435 House of Representative seats and 33 Senate seats are up for grabs in this midterm election. The Democrats need to flip at least 23 seats in order to take the majority of the House. In the Senate, the Democrats need to keep all their seats and win two Republican seats to have the majority. If you vote, we can change the course of Trump's immoral, unethical, and corrupt presidency.

Historically, the younger generations are not active voters. We need to change that! Higher voter turnout by younger Americans will result in a government that represents our views. We currently have a government that was mostly voted for by people that are 60 years old or even older. If we want people in power who will lead on behalf of us, we need to put them there.

We need to vote in politicians who support the LGBTQ community, encourage free speech, and fight against the NRA. By voting in the midterms, your voice will be heard. There are so many important issues being decided on right now. If we vote, we can help decide how these problems are solved. Do you think that children should be separated from their families at the border?

Do you think that Brett Kavanaugh was rightly appointed to the Supreme Court? Do you think that women should have the right to an abortion? Take action so your view is heard and represented in our government.

Our founders constructed a government that is ruled by the people. Women and African Americans had to fight for the right to vote. We are so lucky that as Americans we have the freedom to contribute our opinions, have our beliefs heard, and impact how our country is run. Other countries don't have such liberties. People are incarcerated and even die over the right to vote. We cannot take this privilege for granted.

The United States is in a very dark place right now. We are divided. Negativity and hate are running rampant and spilling out all over America. It's hard to see the future in a positive way, however, don't be fooled. As long as we have a vote, we have hope. We are the generation that is ready to take on Trump. We are already known to stand up, create movements, and influence change.

For example, students from Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland created the "Never Again" movement to stand against gun violence. Thousands of high school students all across the country joined the movement by walking out of their schools in solidarity. We have been activists in Women's Marches and protesting the treatment of immigrants. According to Business Insider, we are the most diverse and inclusive generation. Let's keep moving forward by voting with loud and decisive voices.

America is at a crossroads between good and evil, hope and despair, and love and hate. Let's prove to the world that we aren't just kids who stare at our iPhones and post selfies on Instagram. We are kids that will use our voices, vote for our leaders, and change the direction of America.

The midterms are an election that most people forget about, however, the midterms could be just as important as a presidential election. Don't forget. This is important. Vote.

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

28 Daily Thoughts of College Students

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

299
group of people sitting on bench near trees duting daytime

I know every college student has daily thoughts throughout their day. Whether you're walking on campus or attending class, we always have thoughts running a mile a minute through our heads. We may be wondering why we even showed up to class because we'd rather be sleeping, or when the professor announces that we have a test and you have an immediate panic attack.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

1658
The Great Christmas Movie Debate
Mental Floss

One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

Keep Reading...Show less
student thinking about finals in library
StableDiffusion

As this semester wraps up, students can’t help but be stressed about finals. After all, our GPAs depends on these grades! What student isn’t worrying about their finals right now? It’s “goodbye social life, hello library” time from now until the end of finals week.

1. Finals are weeks away, I’m sure I’ll be ready for them when they come.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

2392
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments