It’s no secret that younger citizens of our nation generally neglect the importance of their representation when it comes to voting. Let me put this issue into perspective for you: only 19% of 18-29 year olds in the Unites States voted in the 2016 presidential election. Most young people attribute their lack of voter participation to either A: feeling as if their voices can’t make a difference in a society historically run by the older members of the population, or B: not knowing how to register or where to vote. Well, get ready, because here’s the rundown on why you should vote and how you can participate in the 2018 midterm elections without even stepping off of App State’s campus.
Why should I vote?
In the US today, the voter population includes as many millennials as it does baby boomers, but as the boomer population decreases in size, it is only a matter of time before the millennial population becomes the most influential electorate in our nation. That being said, it has become our civic duty, now more than ever, to make decisions that will not only have power over our own lives, but also the lives of our future children.
Right now, the voter demographic is overwhelmingly dominated by 45-64 year olds. These voters are the ones calling the shots on issues such as college tuition reform and federal job programs, issues that impact our generation, not theirs. Therefore, it is important that we take it upon ourselves to vote in order to ensure that we have a say in creating policy that directly impacts us now and will continue to impact future generations of Americans. But don’t fret, because luckily, it is easier now than ever to become an educated and active voter! The internet provides an unlimited caliber of information regarding each candidate and their platform, so before you vote, be sure to inform yourself!
How can I vote on App State’s campus?
Over the past few weeks, you may have come in contact with volunteers around campus who have been donating their time to ensure that ASU students have easy access to voter registration. If you registered with one of them or registered through another medium prior to the North Carolina deadline (Friday, October 12), you are eligible to participate in early voting here on campus. You can vote in the Blue Ridge Ballroom on the second floor of the Plemmons Student Union on the following dates:
7am – 7pm October 22 – 26
7am – 7pm October 29 – November 2
8am – 1pm November 3
Click here for more information about voting at App.
Image sources:
https://www.pressenza.com/2017/05/young-people-didnt-vote-now-protest/
https://www.theskimm.com/noexcuses
https://centrex.appstate.edu/about-centrex/dialing-voicemail-instructions/dialing-instructions