People aged 18-29 have the power to change the world one vote at a time, but most don’t take advantage of the opportunity.
History Professor Patricia Colman said that she loves it when students aspire to change the world and make an impact on their community.
“Start with the most fundamental and basic way all citizens can make a change. Vote,” said Colman in an email interview.
Millenials have the change to make a difference in the world at the next election on Nov. 6 where they will be able to cast their vote to change the future regarding things varying from the educational budget to who the next president will be.
There are several important measures on the upcoming ballot that affect the young people of our state.
Prop. 30 is one such matter which, if not passed, will cut $4 million from Moorpark College’s budget eliminating several class selections and reduced student services which will result in students having a harder time getting the classes that they need.
If students want a voice in important matters that affect them, then they need to get out there and vote. Sitting around and complaining about the condition the world is in will not help make a difference at all.
Political Science Professor Jack Miller said that students have a chance to make a difference in the upcoming election but need to educate themselves on the matters at hand.
“It’s very important that students vote in the upcoming election,” said Miller in an email interview. “At stake are issues that directly impact them from college education to funding to the national budget.”
Julio Sanchez, 18, Business major, said that young people have a voice in this country and should take advantage of that. They have the ability to make a difference in the world where as the older generation may not have the motivation to do so.
“I do feel that student voting is important because the voice of the young people is important,” said Sanchez. “We are the key to the future and our voices need to be heard.”
Some students don’t feel that it is important to vote because they don’t think that their vote will make a difference. Considering it is just one vote out of billions. But even one vote can make a difference. That one vote could mean the difference between whether a proposition passes or fails. Even if someone is undecided on whether to vote or not, they should still vote because their vote can be the game changer on who wins the next election.
Students like Taylor Naud, 19, Film and Television major, are only voting for president because they don’t know enough about the propositions to have an opinion about them.
“If you are not educated on what is being voted on it is not wise to vote,” said Naud.
A sample ballot is sent to each voter’s house and it contains information on the propositions which can be voted on. If people were to read the sample ballot they would have enough information about what they wanted to vote for in the election.
People have fought and died for centuries for the right to vote. Students should respect the efforts of previous generations and cast their ballot this upcoming election.
“Students should recognize that they are lucky to be able to exercise that right,” said Colman. “Suffrage is a privilege, and I think students forget that.”
