Youth voter turnout is a national crisis and embarrassment. Only 28.2% of 18-29 year old citizens voted in 2018, which is more than double the 2014 youth turnout. Visit https://www.forbes.com/sites/civicnation/2020/06/23/growing-voters-an-opportunity-for-the-nation-for-all-of-us/#6c34cc6d9add.
These numbers do not align with the activism we have seen and heard in the streets and on social media, where young people are fighting for the most pressing issues of our time such as racial and climate justice. Today, young people are protesting in staggering numbers: 27% of people aged 18-24 say they have attended a march or demonstration compared to the 5% and 16% before the 2016 and 2018 elections, respectively.
Young people clearly have the passion, but why do we not show up on election day? Many young people, including myself, feel discouraged by prevailing inequalities and doubt that our individual vote can make a difference. We must remember that voting is an essential first step in the long and complicated process that is lifelong activism.
College campuses have a unique responsibility and opportunity to increase voter registration and turnout. Members of the administration, faculty, and student organizations must join forces to actively promote resources for their students to register to vote and show up on election day.
We cannot wait until our generation is in power: we must have our voices heard now. We young people are ignored by elected officials on the grounds that we lack experience, but if every member of the largest and most diverse generation voted, our opinions would be represented and respected.
Virginia Ryan
Concord