Voting At Ages 18-24 Is Important
The group of ages 18-24 is the next generation. That is why their vote is the most important, their future is on their vote. Relevant issues that affect the youth right now, as well as into the future are:
- The increasing gun violence in Chicago.
- The increasing student loan debt.
- Increasing acts of racism.
- Inequalities against LGBTQ+ people.
- The rate at which Climate Change is increasing.
These are issues the youth is going to have to address, and eventually deal with. The future is in the youth’s hands. The youth are the ones that have the most control to make change nowadays. For example, their use of social media can help them spread the messages they want to highlight across the country, or more locally in Chicago. They have the power in their hands, and it’s time they put it to use.
What Happens If the Youth Does Not Vote?
A great example of what can happen if the youth continue not to vote is the loss of jobs. In Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot made a program called “Chicago Youth Service Corps”, a year-round program that provides jobs and learning opportunities to people ages 16 to 24. Now, if the youth does not vote for a mayor that will keep this program, hundreds of youth could lose their jobs.
The top two concerns for the youth are gun violence and abortions laws. However, because not a lot of the youth voted last term, people of older generations had different views, and ultimately were not as concerned about these topics as the youth. Furthermore, gun violence has increased because of laws passed to make accessibility to guns much easier. Not to mention, Roe v. Wade was also overturned in 2022, which protected females’ rights to get an abortion at a federal level. This means that individual states are now allowed to deny women their rights to an abortion.
These things matter to and affect the youth, and will continue to affect them if they don’t vote.
What Happens When the Youth Votes?
If all the youth voted, their future would be in their hands. They will be able to generate change. Additionally, their future will be the one they asked for, their interest. There could be:
- More job opportunities.
- More justice brought to all kind of topics (racism, sexism, human rights, etc.)
- A better environment to live in (improved air pollution, sound pollution, etc.).
- Better education.
- Better healthcare.
- Better housing.
- Better transportation.
- Safer schools (controlled gun use).
- And ultimately, a better Chicago.
The more that time passes, the more issues will be left in the hands of the youth. When the youth votes, they are voting for their future. Furthermore, they are voting for the future of the generations that will follow them. Whatever they leave unsolved will need to be addressed by the next generation, and so on. This is why youth voting is so important.
Voting Is a Privilege
Not to mention, voting overall is super important and significant to a healthy democracy. It is a privilege that was fought for. Before the 15th Amendment was passed (the right for all men to vote), Black men were enslaved. They had no rights. They worked for free, and were abused and mistreated. Even after the amendment was passed, Black men still had to take a literacy test, writing test, and pay a poll tax to vote. Furthermore, before the 19th Amendment (the right to vote regardless of sex), women had no right to vote. First, they worked as housewife’s. Second, they couldn’t even go to school because only men were allowed to be educated. Past generations fought, died, bled, and protested for the right to vote.
Similarly, voting is a privilege that not every one has today. Not everyone that lives in the U.S., or even in Chicago specifically is able to vote. Chicago has 1.7 million immigrants that cannot vote. Although they contribute $5.7 billion of dollars to state and local taxes, they cannot vote. Their voice is not accounted for, their voice is not heard. Even though there are people out there that want to vote, they can’t. Yet many of those who can vote, don’t. Every vote matters, its for the cities, the states future, and its a voice for those who can’t vote. Voting is a privilege and those who have it, should use it.
Voting is a powerful tool, that everyone who is able, should use. Especially the youth.
Written by Adriana Castelan
Sources:
Chicago: Family and Support Services
Vera: Chicago Illinois, Immigrant Population
Wisconsin State Senate: Importance of the Youth Vote
Featured Image Courtesy of Adriana Castelan
Inset Image Courtesy of Adriana Castelan
