There are many misconceptions in society about 18-25 year old voters. One of them is that we don’t vote because we don’t care. I disagree with those who say we don’t care about the political system. When I graduated high school in 2004, I asked all my friends and family to register to vote for my graduation present. Not only that, every year since 2000, I have asked all my family and friends to do this.
Today, all my closest friends and both immediate and extended family are registered. How many people can actually say that all they want for Christmas, Hanukah, their Birthday and graduation presents are to have the ones they care about register to vote? I did it. The fact that politicians don’t listen to my generation is not only disturbing, but undemocratic. This is why I am proposing to ALL people, both young and old, ask those you are close to, family and friends, to register to vote and vote on election day as a present for your birthday, graduation, Christmas, Hanukah or an other holiday or occasion you celebrate.
If they tell you that they don’t know anything about voting, how to register to vote, or that their vote doesn’t count, educate them. There are numerous websites that will provide information on how to register to vote, where to send it, and many also provide information about stances that political parties and politicians take. Some of these websites include: http://www.rockthevote.com/, http://www.register-vote.com, http://www.publiccitizen.org/congress, http://www.lwv.org, http://www.declareyourself.org, and http://www.justvote.org. Moreover, after you encourage and get family and friends to register to vote as a gift, you must make sure to encourage them to vote on Election Day.
Make sure you call your family and friends to ask if they voted. If they haven’t, persuade them. If you don’t want to call them, give them a ride to the polls and vote with them. This is especially true of people my age. Once they see how enthusiastic you are about the democratic process, they most likely will be too. Once politicians realize that we have the power and influence to get people to register to vote and to the polls, they will start to listen to us, the 18-25 year olds, and we will be able to provide fresh ink to the democratic process! If we all do this, we WILL have a very powerful voice and vote in the 2008 presidential election and those thereafter. Politicians would most likely not take our votes for granted. Additionally, since many of us know how to use technology, do research, and can sniff out when we’re being manipulated or BS, politicians will eventually have to be more honest and straightforward. Most importantly, we will be the leaders of this country in 15-20 years!
That’s right; in 15-20 years WE will be running this country and making policy. It seems many of our current leaders don’t realize this, and as a result, they are not sincerely listening to our opinions, which is part of the reason why some people our age can become apathetic and cynical about civic involvement, voting, the government and the democratic process. If we want to be effective leaders in 15-20 years, we MUST and NEED to get involved NOW! So, encourage those around you to give the greatest gift of all, ask them to register to vote and vote on Election Day!
Mark Congdon Jr."08"
Wilkes University Student
Communications Studies Major
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