For most high schoolers, being newly 18 means a wealth of new responsibilities and opportunities. But the most important benefit, yet also the most looked-over part of being an adult, is the fact that it means that now 18-year-olds have the chance to vote. The election might feel the same as it did, listening to parents and teachers talk about the debate and even which candidate they favor, only it is different this year because some high school seniors can vote for the first time.
As 18-year-olds, voting may seem unnecessary or something that is reserved for the older generations, but this could not be further from the truth. In a world where it can be hard to make one’s voice heard, voting is a way for citizens to give their input and make lasting change. Your favored candidate will not always win, but voting is a great way to put your voice out there.
Politics and news of the upcoming election seem to be flooding every news outlet and social media feed. However, when it actually comes down to it, they do not exercise their right to vote. This is especially true with first time voters. If people want to see change happen, they need to walk to the polls and vote. 18-year-olds often do not care or think that their vote does not matter, but in actuality, every single vote counts. It may seem easy to ignore the impending election and just let other people take care of it, but this is a gross misuse of this civic responsibility.
The first step to exercising this crucial civic duty is registering to vote. In New Jersey, 17-year-olds can register to vote to ensure that they are prepared to vote when they turn 18. Registering only takes a few minutes and it is the first way to make your voice heard. For all new voters, this Nov. 5 is your chance to cast your vote and make some real change.
Photo credits: “Vote!” by kgroovy is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
