Young voters need to get to the polls
New voters and young adults must exercise their right to vote. In the current politically heated climate, the vitality of young people’s voices being heard at a local and national level has amplified. Voters must get educated on current issues and head to the polls to bring social and political change to the country.
Young voters are an incredibly powerful group, accounting for over half of the voting population. Historically, young people were the least likely to vote and have the lowest turnout of all age groups. However, in 2020, that changed.
On April 29, 2021, the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University published a study that estimated “50% of young people, ages 18-29, voted in the 2020 presidential election, a remarkable 11-point increase from 2016 (39%) and likely one of the highest rates of youth electoral participation since the voting age was lowered to 18.”
Still today, many argue that young adults should not vote or even go as far to suggest raising the voting age to 21. They argue that young adults have a presumed lack of life experience and education about politics. The stereotype surrounding Gen Z and Millennials refers to entitlement and lack of focus.
However, the younger generations are often highly educated when it comes to politics due to accessibility of virtual resources. Political engagement from this age group continues to increase. A study from Harvard Kennedy School on April 23, 2021 found that since 2009, there has been an increase from 24% of politically active young adults (18-29 year olds) to 36% in 2021.
Young adults wish for a change in the country, and many have hope for the future. With an increasing division and partisanship in politics, it is important to start sewing the rift back together. Politics have historically come between relationships and young Americans are constantly calling for more political “open-mindedness.”
Getting young voters to the polls guarantees this change. They need to vote to change the world that they are going to be living their life in. Such a large group of people’s voices need to be heard. Young adults must register to vote and exercise their political voice.
Young adults need to get out to the polls to exercise their right to vote. St Kate’s has a big push to get members of the university and community registered to vote.
