Whether in 1776, when Washington led his troops against the mighty British, in 1913, when women marched on the U.S. Capitol or in 1963, when Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his most iconic speech, Americans from all walks of life have fought tirelessly to preserve their right to vote for centuries.
They would be disappointed.
In 2020, less than half (48%) of eligible voters between the ages of 18-24 turned out to the polls. Do 52% of young adults not care about their futures? Are 52% of young adults 100% satisfied with the current state of political affairs?
Many states, including Virginia, continue to make it easier and easier, both to register to vote and to get to the polls (with pre-registration laws, everybody aged 16 and older can easily register to vote). Yet, young people continue to display a lack of awareness of the state of the nation on election day.
Those who are just now entering adulthood should be the most concerned with politics. After all, they will reap the most benefits from positive government action down the road.
Virginia’s Tidewater region, especially the second congressional district (Ocean Lakes’ district), is home to some of the most hotly contested races in the entire country.
“I believe that young people, the 18-24 demographic, will decide this election,” U.S. History and former government teacher Darcy Pohl said. “It’s crucial that students who can vote know they have a voice.”
The race between Republican Congressional incumbent Jen Kiggans and her Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal is neck and neck, and the mayoral race is still anyone’s to win, featuring six different candidates.
Beyond that, the top of the ticket features a race for the ages, Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump, which is being touted as the most impactful presidential election of all time. The two are locked in a dead heat, and the vote of the younger demographic will likely tip the scales.
The endemic apathy for politics in the U.S. has to end. While the animosity of the current social climate understandably deters many young people, voting is still imperative.
For those who want to register to vote, learn more about the candidates or create a plan for election day. More information can be found on the Virginia Department of Elections’ homepage at elections.virginia.gov.
