Masuk Free Press

An 18th birthday is one for the books. A newfound sense of freedom of finally being an adult. You can buy a lottery ticket, drive anyone at any time of the day, fight for your country, but above all, you can vote. In the wise words of Uncle Ben from Spiderman, “With great power comes great responsibility,” So blow out your birthday candles and get to the polls!!!

In 1971 congress voted to ratify the U.S Constitution, adding the 26th Amendment. This lowered the voting age from the previous 21, to 18. In the 1972 presidential election between Richard M. Nixon and George McGoven an outstanding 55.4 percent of youth (18-29 years old) voted.  This high turnout reflected the enthusiasm and engagement of young voters in influencing the direction of the nation. However, after 1972 the amount of youth voters began a steady decline, until the 2020 election when it shot back up to 55 percent, its lowest being 39.6 percent (Mediabiasfactcheck.com).  

Despite recognizing the importance of voting, some young people may not fully grasp its significance. “Our generation, we’re taught the importance, but we never take it to heart because I feel like we’re so deterred by older generations saying that we’re not confident enough to vote,” said senior Yara Shaik. 

A common feeling amongst voters in the U.S. is a sense of voter apathy. Voter apathy is the lack of interest or concern in citizens for voting in elections. Moreover, there is a prevailing sense of apathy among some individuals regarding the electoral process.

“I think that’s a thing that has been instilled not by schools but by the older generations, like our parents and everyone saying that, hey, I voted this way but the other person won, like I feel like it’s rigged and just like that, those stories being passed through generations of people voting one way and it not being a thing kind of instilled that apathy, like if I do something, it’s not going to happen,” stated Chloe Norton

Despite the significance of voting, young adults may feel overwhelmed or disengaged from the political process, “Some teenagers choose to not educate themselves further about it, and they think that maybe their vote doesn’t matter.” Says senior Safa Memon

However, voting is not just an individual act but a collective expression of civic duty and responsibility. Every vote contributes to who is in office, what policies are created and above all the trajectory of the country and our society as a whole, “Your voice matters… It’s choosing who you want to be in office, who you want to be in Congress. If you’re 18, get out and vote. It’s very important, especially in today’s world. You need to fight for your rights,” States Chloe Norton.

The act of voting is not just a right but a responsibility that empowers individuals to shape the course of their nation. “We are going to end up being in places of power, and it’s our voices that are going to power all of the choices that we make as a whole, either as a nation or even as a world,” said Shaik

Registering to vote is a simple process. A quick google search will lead you to the ct.gov website where the registration process is straightforward and quick. You don’t even have to be 18 to register, as long as you turn 18 before or on Nov. 5 2024 you can register at 17. 

 As us young adults reach the milestone of turning 18, we gain access to this powerful tool for effecting change. By understanding the importance of voting, registering to vote, and actively participating in the electoral process, young people can amplify their voices and contribute to building a more equitable and inclusive society. As the next generation of leaders, our engagement in our government is essential for the advancement of our collective future.