As I sat here at home, attempting to write this article, trying to convince my peers to go out and vote, I realized that opinion was a lot more difficult to write since I myself can’t vote.
I’m not a citizen of the United States. I’ve never experienced the process of voting and I won’t get that exciting feeling of doing something for the country that I call home. Hearing others says that they will just flat out not vote this election because they hate the candidates makes me sad inside.
I sit here wishing I could vote while others refuse to take advantage of such a wonderful opportunity.
USA TODAY/Rock the Vote polls found that millennials back Hilary Clinton over Donald Trump by 3-1. However according to USA Today, the enthusiasm of voting is dipping as a negative campaign enters its final weeks.
I can see it around me too, often hearing that people will either vote for Trump because of the distrust surrounding Clinton or vote for Clinton to keep Trump out of the office, on top of those who simply don’t want to vote because of how strongly they dislike both candidates.
Rock the Vote is the largest nonprofit and nonpartisan organization in the United States driving the youth vote in the polls, doing so by using pop culture, music, art, and technology to gain the attention of young voters and make it easier for them to register to vote.
Why go through all the trouble? Because they know that millennials can make a huge impact in this election.
Patrick Tagari, a 19-year-old double major in Economics and Global Studies, is a citizen from Canada and Great Britain who also wishes he could vote alongside his friends who will become first-time voters this critical year.
“With all the political tension, it is important to make a difference and stand for what one believes in,” said Tagari.
Tagari is cognisant of the responsibility of voting being this is the first presidential election his age group is eligible to vote in, saying that it is the duty of every United States citizen to vote, urging anyone eligible to do so to do their research and get the facts straight in order to fulfill that responsibility.
Yet Tagari still seems to be in the minority.
A study from the Pew Research Center says that while young voters are very interested in this year’s election, they’re unsatisfied with their choices and nearly three-quarters of voters younger than 30 say that even though they’ve thought a lot about this election, only a quarter of young people are satisfied with their choices for president.
Riley Llamas, an undecided 19-year-old Moorpark College student, is considering not voting for president, but has already filled in his vote on the propositions.
“I do not plan on voting for the candidates due to my options,” said Llamas. “[And] third party has no popularity or a good chance of claiming the White House.”
Presidential candidates aside, Llamas will still be voting this year on propositions. The likes of which can still have a huge effect on you, your family, and your community. To those who feel like your vote doesn’t matter, it really does, even if none of the presidential candidates suit your tastes.
Faye Dalida, records technician of the the Ventura County Registrar, mirrors this by stressing why young voters need to go out and vote this election.
“I think it’s important for college students to vote because they can make a difference in how their college atmosphere can be,” said Dalida. “If there are any improvements for programs or funds that are needed, then it’s important to vote.”
The opposing candidates plan to take America in a very different directions. These decisions on local, state and national levels are important and every single count matters in determining our country’s future.
By not voting you may be supporting something, or someone, you really don’t want to see in power.
Millennials are the future of this country. Just as the fights for women’s suffrage and civil rights were fought, our generation continues to take stances and make strides for a truly greater America. Recent victories in marriage rights and the continuing efforts for equality show not just what we have accomplished, but that Americans are not the type to sit and watch while what we see as injustice continues.
Trump says he’ll make America great again. I say it’s already great, it just needs some improvements. And if we don’t care to do so, then who will?
