On November 8th, 2016, citizens across the United States will cast their votes to determine the next President. For some of us, the 2016 election will be our first chance to vote – our first chance to have a say.
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But many of our peers don’t actually think we have a say. In the United States, we elect our president indirectly – through use of the Electoral College. So it is understandable to think that it doesn’t really make a difference whether we vote or not. Chances are that if you feel this way, you’re not the only one. You’re not the only one abstaining from voting simply because you don’t think it matters, or because you don’t care.
This is a problem! If college students feel that their vote doesn’t matter, then NO ONE from our generation is voting. Hence, we have virtually no say in who becomes the next President of the United States.
Whether you identify as a Republican, a Democrat, or as an Independent, it is very important to make your voice be heard! Here are some reasons why you should be voting in the 2016 presidential election.
1. It is your civic duty!
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As old-fashioned as this sounds, it truly is your duty as a citizen to vote in elections. Some countries feel so strongly about this that they force their citizens to vote. In the United States, too many of us take this fact for granted. You pay taxes, you attend jury duty – you should be voting too.
2. When only a small percentage of our population votes, the results don’t accurately reflect what the American people want.
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As noted above, if the majority of young voters don’t make it to the polls, our demographic has literally no say. Underrepresentation is a huge problem and the only way to fix it is by actually voting.
3. Young voters could make a huge difference if they actually voted.
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There are a huge number of young people in the United States that could potentially change the results of the next election. Alone, your vote may not make a huge difference. But together our generation can!
4. You may not think that our next president will affect you, but they will.
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Many young people feel that politics don’t affect them, which is understandable to a certain degree. Most of us don’t own property, have children, or even our own insurance plans. But in the next four years, a lot will change. Plus, many of us are taking out student loans, which are at the center of most candidates’ platforms. While tax reform may not mean a lot to you right now, it will in the near future. Our next President can change the atmosphere of our country, so learning about each candidate and selecting the most ideal individual is very important.
5. If you don’t vote, then you are not entitled to complain about who wins.
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You don’t want Bernie Sanders to win? Donald Trump? Well if they do and you didn’t vote, don’t come complaining to me!
You can make a difference. Even if it is small, every voice counts. So get out there and vote!