On Tuesday, Nov. 5, millions of people in every corner of the United States will gather in community centers, school campuses, fire stations and other public buildings to cast their vote and elect the next president of the United States of America.
Young voter turnout hit a 21st century peak in the 2020 election cycle. There was a 17 million person increase from the 2016 election and it isn’t just because of the free sticker. More and more young people are beginning to realize the power they have in letting their voices be heard.
Kendall Brungardt, freshman mass media and political science major, is someone who found a passion for politics at a young age.
“I’ve always been somebody who watches the news, so I would always know when it was time to vote, and I would pester my parents if they had voted or not,” Brungardt said.
Brungardt was elated to cast her vote for the first time this past summer in the primary election. She especially believes that it’s important for college students to exercise their right to vote.
“I think it forms a habit if you don’t start voting early,” Brungardt said, “If you’re going to college somewhere that’s far away from your hometown, we live here nine months out of the year, and we pay taxes here. If you work on campus, if you shop around here, you pay taxes here. I think it’s important to make your voice known, especially because you are paying so much money to be in this community.”
It might seem overwhelming and intimidating to vote at first, but there are plenty of resources available to help college students navigate this election.
“I would seek out the online things that you can do,” Brungardt said, “There’s a website called ‘What’s on my ballot.’ You put in your address, and it’ll tell you exactly who’s on your ballot and what it’s going to look like. I think that is the easiest way to be prepared while you’re going in.”
Another resource where you can see the ballot, register to vote, request a mail-in ballot and find the proper polling place is the Shawnee County website.
While some people might be eager to jump at the chance to vote as soon as they turn 18, many people have a different experience.
Nyah Langley, senior criminal justice major, has made the important decision to cast her vote in November for the first time ever.
“There’s a lot of things going on right now in the world, especially with the wars [in] Gaza, Israel, Palestine [and] the Ukrainian war,” Langley said, “I just feel like young people, especially Gen Z, should have a voice because it’s their country. ”
It’s important to remember that the duty to elect a president affects more than just the individual voter. The United States’ foreign policy will have an effect on the current wars happening around the world. Our leader is the representative of our country when dealing with international conflicts and affairs.
Natalie Hopper, freshman pre-radiology major, recognizes the importance of her vote when it comes to molding the world she hopes to live in.
“I think a lot of people don’t vote because they think, ‘What’s just one vote?’ But it all adds up and it will help shape the world that you, or maybe your future kids, whatever it may be, [are] going to live in,” Hopper said.
Whether this is your first time voting or your 20th, this November’s ballot is a blank slate for voters to start creating and contributing to the future of the United States that they want to live in.
So wear that little white oval sticker with pride and recognize what it stands for. It’s a piece of evidence that students are active citizens in their nation’s democracy and that no matter what, students are willing to try and improve their country.
Edited by Jeremy Ford and Morgan Albrecht
