By Kara Little, News Editor
It seems that everyone is talking about politics these days. Everyone is so aware and “woke” on all the issues: police brutality, climate change, immigration, guns. Why does everyone care? How can I get myself to be more involved?
How does everyone know what’s going on and how did they form their opinions on them already? Throughout the course of history, the demographic of voters has changed and become more accepting of people from all walks of life. In the beginning, only white, male landowners could vote. Then black men could vote in 1869, then white women in 1920, then indigenous people in 1924, and so forth.
Even with these laws, marginalized communities were discouraged to go to the polls, by having to take knowledge tests prior to voting or by being greeted with angry mobs outside the polls. It took a lot of time for this country to get its voting rights in order, and there’s still work to be done.
But, as of now, if you are at least 18 years of age by election day, are a resident of the state/country you are voting in, are a U.S. citizen and not on parole for a felony conviction or convicted of a felony, you are good to go.
Some of you reading this are registered to vote, but maybe don’t feel compelled to use that power just yet. Junior Israel Collazo-Luciano mentioned how he went to vote, but he was unable to because when he went to the voting booths, he was not registered at the time, and he has not had time to register since. You may ask yourself “does my vote matter?”
Sophomore Ethan Clark said that he does not vote. He has thought about registering, but then felt that “going through the effort is not worth the actual effect it will have.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2018 voter turnout reported that “while younger women voted at higher rates than younger men, women age 65 and older voted at lower rates than men in the same age range. In 2018, among those age 65 and older, voter turnout was 65 percent for women and 68 percent for men. In contrast, 38 percent of women 18-29 years old voted and 33 percent of men of the same age group voted.”
That means that the people in the new generations aren’t voting. Times are changing, and certain things that are accepted and normalized in our society weren’t considered to be the same 40, 50 years ago. And yet, the people that were around 40, 50 years ago with the “old-school mindset” are voting on issues that are affecting younger generations? Regardless of your political view, the world is changing, and so are the people in it, so shouldn’t you get a say of what should go on in the world that is becoming yours?
Every state has different voting laws, so be sure to check what your state requires. According to usa.gov, you can visit vote.org to help you find your state laws for voter registration, or you can always visit your local Department of Local Vehicles, armed forces recruitment centers, and state and county public assistance offices such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) offices, which you can find your local ones through your state’s SNAP/WIC office number.
You can register in person or online. You can also register for absentee ballots, which are mail-in ballots in case you aren’t able to be there physically at the voting polls. You may have already went through the voter registration process.
Who’s the “correct” person to vote for? First off, there is no correct person to vote for; it’s all about who appeals to you the most. That’s why it’s your vote; your choice, your right. The news, local or national, will always keep you updated on what’s going on.
It might even help you to see what is considered a major issue in the United States, due to the amount of times you see an issue come on your local/national news channel.
Nothing is faster than social media; it captures everything. Sometimes you find information out on social media faster than those news channels. Following those news outlets or candidates for office, will help you to get to know the issues and the candidates better, helping you to find how to use to your voice. CNN, MSNBC, and FOX are some you probably heard of, but try others like Al-Jazeera and Associated Press; those are not as biased and will help you to make your own choices.
Use websites like VoteSmart.org or Politico.com for information on the candidates, their take on the issues, and how to navigate through candidates and the affiliation they have with different organizations. Use websites like isidewith.com to take quizzes to figure out where you stand on the issues.
The reason why your vote is so important is because it is yours. Using that voice to speak for others takes away the value it has. Don’t let your voice be used by someone else who already has one.
Some people vote because their grandparents fought for their rights to vote, and they want to do right by them. Some people vote because they want to be able to wear the sticker. Whatever your reason is, do it.
There are some countries that don’t let their people vote or control the way they do it. You have a voice, so use it.
Voters from across the country will join to make their voices heard and ultimately change the world in the 2020 election. Will you?