Young voters driving change in our community
Voting is traditionally seen as something that people on the older side take part in; people that brag that they haven’t missed an opportunity to vote in the last 40 years. That stereotype seems to be changing as young people become increasingly involved in politics, and younger people of voting age feel a greater need to “do their civic duty” and vote.
Through social media, Gen Z and millennials are making a massive push to get people out there voting.
Ashley Gilbert, a senior at Urbana High School, is part of this change in voting demographics. “I have an obligation to vote because of how incredibly corrupt and misguided our government is when it comes to protecting its people,” she said.
his voting sticker
That mindset is not just an Urbana thing. Amanda Allgeier, a student at Decatur’s MacArthur High School has a similar mindset.
“I feel that voting is our constitutional right, and that if we have the chance to vote, we should. I also feel that it is the best way for us to create change in our communities, especially in local elections.”
Although social media is the main outlet used by young people to spread the word about getting out to vote, not everything coming out of it is a good thing according to Parkland College’s Nathan Giroux. “Because of social media, the two parties have grown further apart than ever before. We don’t listen to each other anymore.”
It’s taken some time, but younger generations are finally realizing that it doesn’t matter how educated you are or how invested in politics you are, your vote counts just as much as the next person. Whatever your opinion is, get out there and make it known. Go vote!
About The Author
