It’s the time of year where you start to see political ads all over TV. Millions are spent by groups to try and convince people to vote for their candidates. These elections can have major effects on how people live. Even with all these factors, voter turnout is very low. Very few young people vote.
According to the Census Bureau, only 38% of people between the ages of 18 and 24 voted in 2012. Since 2014 is a non-presidential election, turnout is expected to be even lower. One reason why turnout is so low is because many are disillusioned. Many people think things like “My vote doesn’t matter,” but with such low turnout, this idea is becoming more and more wrong. With less people voting, those who are interested in politics can have more influence.
It is correct that one vote likely won’t change the outcome of an election, but if the millions who used that as an excuse went out and voted, the results could be completely different. Local elections may not seem as glamorous as national elections, but local politicians can help pass laws that affect you personally. Not getting involved with these choices can negatively impact the town and state you live in.
Before the 4th, try to spend just 10 minutes learning about the candidates so you can make an informed decision. Get informed, and get involved. Instead of getting sad about how everything is falling apart, go out and help solve the issues.