The United States Midterm Elections are around the corner (November 6th). Here's a few important reasons why you should vote this year.
Regardless of political affiliations, beliefs, or backgrounds, this is something that everyone needs to recognize: your right to vote hasnât always existed. Regardless of gender, race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, or ability, generations before us fought to ensure that we could have a voice and participate in politics and government. This is your chance to prove that their efforts werenât for nothing. By voting, we not only exercise our responsibilities as citizens, but we also validate and legitimize the efforts of the generations before us. So it doesnât matter who youâre going to vote for on November 6th, as long as you get to the polls and cast your vote.
There has never been a better time to be 18. If you are of voting age, you must seize this opportunity before itâs too late. Do not wait until the âbig electionsâ like the Presidential raceâmid-term elections are just as important. Donât expect others to do the work for you. Your vote is just as important as the next personâs.
We hear it time and time again, âyoung people donât vote.â The sad thing about this recurring statement is that itâs true. Statistically, the youth are far less likely than any other age group to go to the polls. This November, letâs change that. Letâs flood the polls and make our voices heard. We make up a huge portion of the population and should be represented appropriately in the results. Who knows, maybe weâll be the deciding factor in some of the closest elections. Donât be discouraged by the stigma around young people voting. Text your friends and get out there. The future is in our hands.
Too often, we see or hear people complaining about the current state of an issue, about a particular elected official, or about politics in general. Instead of posting a Tweet or arguing with a neighbor, get to the polls and express your opinions in the voting booth. This upcoming election gives every person of voting age the chance to make a difference. By voting, you will forever be a part of history.
There are so many resources available to help you get involved this year. Here are a few:
If you can vote:
⢠Uber and Lyft are offering free and/or discounted rides to the polls on November 6th.
⢠Voter ID, registration, and general information by state can be found here.
⢠BallotReady, a nonpartisan organization, provides information about your state or district candidates.
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If you arenât of voting age yet:
⢠DoSomething.org allows you to find ways to give back or take a stand on issues that are important to you in ways other than voting.
⢠Get in touch with your representatives.
⢠Spread the word! Flood social media, tell all your friends, and do everything you can to increase local political participation, even if you arenât the one voting.
Lindsay Sharman is a BBG from Greater Atlanta Region who loves avocados and her two dogs.
All views expressed on content written for The Shofar represent the opinions and thoughts of the individual authors. The author biography represents the author at the time in which they were in BBYO.