We Are a Young America

Voting is not as simple as one might think.  

If you are like many young Americans who, while politically aware, haven’t carved out a time to cast your ballot in past or future elections, perhaps it is time to make some considerations.  Young voters, 18-20 years old, have only had the right to vote for just shy of 50 years years.  With the passing of the 26^th Amendment in 1971, the legal voting age was reduced from 21 years of age to 18 years of age. In 1972, we saw a great turnout for young voters but since 1973, according to the Census Bureau, the voting rate for 18-24 year olds has an average turnout of about 40%.  Average.  In 1986, young voters between 18-29 turned out at 28%.  In 2014, the same group turned out at 20%.  More recently, in 2018, the turnout rate increased by 16%.  

How can this be explained? 

Well, young voters typically have more challenges in getting to the poll than their elders.  Registering to vote can be rightfully confusing for first time voters.  Young people tend to move more frequently than the rest of the voting population and moving requires updating information in order to stay current with voting status.  While many young people have also lost faith in the voting process, the increase seen over the last term indicates that young voters have managed to overcome some of these obstacles and make it to the polls on time.

Who wants to help?

Groups like Rock the Vote, NextGenAmerica, DoSomething.org, and the Alliange for Youth Action have all allocated resources to make the voting process as seamless as possible for those returning to or discovering the polls for the first time in the coming 2020 election.  

In the words of Sharon Salzberg:

“Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country and this world.”  

Voting in America today is a privilege and a voluntary right.  That was not the case for many Americans not so long ago.  

P. Brandt

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