America's millennials seem to have big ideas for the future of America. From raising the minimum wage to free college, young people are raising their voices and voicing their opinions on all kinds of controversial positions. We are a part of the largest and most diverse age group in the US, making up 1/3 of the population. You'd think an age group of this size would be swaying election results and be showing up to the polls in large numbers; however, the statistics say something very different.
18-29-year-old voters have voter participation rates as low as 40% for presidential elections. The Center for Information and Research reported a 22.2% voter turn out for youth in 2014. These statistics are shockingly low and disappointing. So many people in my generation have forgotten the importance of voting. There seems to be a very cynical attitude towards voting; phrases like "my vote doesn't matter" or "the electoral college decides the results" are now common. Young people are frustrated with the voting process and are addressing this frustration by skipping out on election day. The mistake in this is that voting still matters, and that you can be as loud about an issue as you want, but nothing will get changed until you vote.
Politics is a career for many men and women, which means that reelection is a huge deal for them. Unfortunately, many congressmen are going to act in their own self-interest in order to achieve the majority of the votes. Whether this is ethical or not deserves an article in itself, the fact is that the majority of congressmen act, vote for, and say what will get them elected. So why would any senator or representative pass a bill aiding millennials if millennials aren't going to show up to vote for him on election day?
Your vote may not always directly impact the elections, but it does give you a voice. It's nearly impossible to get a cause on the policy agenda when the congressmen writing bills and passing laws are hurt by advocating for the young people. Congress doesn't cut social security because they genuinely care, they don't cut it because if they did a huge block of their voters would vote them out of office.
Whether or not you're for or against free college, universal healthcare, or other programs, your opinion won't be heard until you show up in the polls. If you have any kind of opinion of what direction the government goes in, voting is essential to getting that opinion out. Rand Paul is an example of a candidate who undoubtedly had the majority of millennial's support, but was let down at the polls. Obama is a good example of a president who relied heavily on the young vote and was able to get a high voter turnout amongst young people.
Whether or not you agree with the trending topics amongst our youth, voting is valuable. Opinions are best expressed through voting and we all have the responsibility to vote. It's ironic how the generation notorious for desiring change is also the generation notorious for sleeping in on election day. No matter what your stance is on an issue, your vote matters.
