Is 2020 the year of true change?

Young adults typically have a lower voter turnout, but with the eruption of protests both nationally and globally, will the ugly head of police violence, public policy, and politics encourage more young adults to vote? 

Whether the youth do not feel the effects of presidential or state power, or do not understand the power and progress in voting, can be debated. "Turnout among young voters is typically 20-30 percentage points lower than among older citizens" (Hartsoe). 

However, with recent protests young adults have shown that their voices will be heard and recognized. Community involvement has become the savior for the tough times we currently face and will continue to face. Black Lives Matter has become a prominent movement that vocalizes the immediate need for change in our politics and policing. People will no longer sit by and watch their country morph into something they cannot be proud of. Everyone, politicians, presidents, CEOs, the media, must be held accountable. 

Police violence has systematically proven to be a continuous problem, and the abuse of power has pushed the incentive for change. Protesting, petitioning, and voting have had a major impact at the local and national level. Recently, Minneapolis has decided to disband their police force after nine days of protesting, and even in Portland people are calling for the defunding of the police department on June 10th during the city council meeting for public budgeting. 

It is clear that when people come together, especially young adults, society can change for the better.

Turning the other cheek is no longer an option. Now, we look ahead to November and what lies in our presidential election. Deciding between conservative right wing current President Trump, and Joe Biden, who has not appealed to the younger crowd, leaves young adults wondering if the U.S. stands a chance at change. "Around the country, people running for local office say they are already seeing a spike in enthusiasm among 18- to 29-year-olds, who historically vote in smaller numbers than their elders" (Gabbatt). 

So the question remains, will voter turnout among young adults increase this year? And regardless of the results, will we continue to see change incited by young adults? 

Marissa Bryan


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