October 8, 2020 / Source: The Bizz USA By Elizabeth Insuasti; Edited by Adya Kumar and Haarika Kalahasti With the election approaching in just a month, voting is on most people’s minds. Why? Although a larger percentage of the US population decides not to cast their ballot until November, election results depend heavily on society. People need to realize the importance of prioritizing voting in this country. One of the main concerns citizens bring up when discussing voting is the Electoral College, and whether their vote really counts. The Electoral College is made up of 538 electors who cast votes to decide the President and Vice-President of the United States. In all except two states, the candidate who wins a majority of popular votes also wins all of that state’s electoral votes (“winner take all” rule). The candidate who receives a majority of electoral votes (270 out of 538) then wins the Presidency. Therefore, the vote of one individual still has the possibility of tipping their state for one candidate and possibly allowing that candidate to win. Although voting is no guarantee that a specific outcome will occur, it is still a civil responsibility to voice our opinions and a reason that young voters should stand for what they believe in together. Speaking and taking action against injustice in this country is now more important than ever. Voting offers people the ability to share their voices to elect leaders who will implement policies that benefit their communities as a whole. Although everyone's voice is essential in an election, candidates are desperately trying to obtain the vote of one group: the youth. “Turning the youth vote” has always been a term used to describe the importance of younger people's influence on elections, but never has it been as prominent as it is now. With the increasing use of social media for promoting activism and social change, many young people have been exposed to and are taking charge of issues and movements that directly affect them. From school shootings to climate change, the younger generation finds more reasons to be invested in politics than ever before. Through existing movements and past actions, the younger generation has repeatedly proven how powerful they can be in spreading their message and influence. Voting is essential for young and eligible people for an abundance of reasons. Here are a few:
These elections will impact critical issues, which increasingly relate to the concerns of those between the ages of 18 and 29, as they are the ones in need of jobs, education, resources, and support. Therefore, those in this age group need to educate themselves on such political issues in order to take to the polls. Young voters account for a large portion of the voting population, making them a powerful political force right now. In other words, the youth vote can sway the election. In this upcoming voting cycle, all Americans need to use their voices to advocate for justice in this country. With the increase in voting by mail, a higher turnout rate is bound to occur. Voters can now complete their ballots at their own pace and avoid in-person polling places. With the fear of contracting COVID-19 at an all-time high, this alternate option will surely ease people's concerns. Voting by mail also gives citizens adequate time to do their research on candidates and not feel pressured into a decision when the time finally comes. All in all, this upcoming election is crucial for many well-known reasons. Regardless of which candidate you prefer, everyone who can must use any power they have to vote, especially the younger generation.
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