Every election year brings new voters, many newly 18 and eagerly committing to their civic responsibilities, wearing an “I Voted” sticker on the front of their shirt like a badge of honor. Young people hold a very influential role in the world of politics, and when they use their voice, whether through a ballot form or exercising their right to protest, it can create change. It sounds silly, but it’s true. Once one finds their voice in the political
world, something they have a real passion for, there’s no bounds to what type of change can be brought forward.
Sydni Wyant, a senior at Hoover High School [pictured right], found her voice this year when she registered to vote and decided to cast her ballot early. She points out the importance of voting and how it directly helps uphold the democratic process in this Republic.
“It may not seem like it but as students, we are the next generation of adults who will be directly affected by government actions,” she said. Researching and making a decision on politicians will not only educate the youth but keep a democracy by allowing using our right to vote.”
Politics, regardless of whether someone chooses it, affects everyone. In daily life, politics is involved in even the simplest of things: grocery stores set with regulations in place to protect the consumers, acts in place to ensure safety among workers in their work environment, all of these are inherently political.
Mr. Rob Motz, a government teacher at Hoover High School, discusses the impact of politics on others’ lives and why it’s important to understand it.
“It is your world and policy decisions will affect your life, whether you realize it or not,” he said. “Politicians make emotional appeals to get support — often using fear to motivate voters, so understanding how government and politics work (or doesn’t) also makes you harder to manipulate.”
It is not only essential for the youth to understand how politics works but also how what they put forth is a direct outcome of what they receive. In order to achieve change, there must be an effort to transition from the current state. Motz expands more on the significance of the youth’s participation.
“Politicians pay attention to who votes and how often. Policies then reflect whatever group of people politicians can most reliably count on to help them get elected,” he said. “If young people don’t participate, why should politicians take their policy preferences into account?”
When it comes to what directly affects the younger generations, the only ones who can speak on it personally are the youth. It’s pivotal that society pays close attention to the issues that are currently or expected to impact the younger generation, such as climate change, student debt and other socioeconomic issues.
“This election I am keeping social and economic issues in mind. I am delving into the candidates’ plans for healthcare access, student debt forgiveness, affordable and accessible housing, substance abuse awareness and reproductive healthcare,” Wyant said. “Without taking a specific side on the political spectrum, I engage in non-biased sources such as AP and BBC to educate myself on these political issues, keeping in my mind the issues that will directly affect the youth.”
Wyant continues, noticing what issues the youth are coming together collectively to express concern for and focus on.
“On either side of the political spectrum, students seem to focus on the largest economic and social issues,” she said. “These include living prices, such as gas, housing, and grocery. Additionally, school safety, college debt relief, and inflation seem to unite students. Even if students do have the same political views on each issue, the shared interest in protecting the safety and well-being of the youth is valued by students. These issues also have a huge platform on social media, so students tend to become educated on issues that affect them directly.”
Even those who can’t vote should still understand the substance that is being politically aware and informed. Being involved does not start and end solely by voting, and Alejandro Curet, a junior student who can’t vote yet, explains the ways in which they play their part in democracy.
“I read the news, I watch the news, I go out of my way to stay updated on important issues and candidates,” Curet said. “I also involve myself in groups and clubs and activities that put an emphasis on keeping up-to-date. Getting registered to vote and voting if you’re of age is the best way to get on it in terms of elections, but I think everybody should at least subscribe to a newspaper, specifically one that is not steeped in a political party already.”
When interacting with different forms of news, it’s crucial to verify that the information consumed is accurate and credible. With the expansion of media, it’s common to come across fake news that preys on readers with the clickability of their headlines, but do not fall victim to these scams; they profit from fear-mongering, and the best way to combat that is by not engaging.
“The best way to verify news is to read multiple sources,” Motz said. “If reputable news agencies [Reuters, AP News] for example are reporting the same thing, the consistency demonstrates its credibility. Anything that sounds like click-bait probably is, anything that seems blatantly partisan probably is, and anything that expresses an opinion and tries to make it sound like fact should be questioned.”
Curet emphasizes this as well, expanding on the idea that people should
familiarize themselves with reliable news sources.
“Keeping your finger on the pulse of non-partisan news sources is the best way, in my opinion, to keep up-to-date on what’s going on and the best way to= keep engaged with these elections,” they said.
Parallel to staying well-informed is also forming one’s own thoughts and opinions; while it may be easy to fall in line with what family has taught and enforced, going out of the way to question what is already known and expanding on that can be extremely beneficial.
“As young students, it is easy to contribute to a polarized political nation, as we are exposed to fake media and ideas all over social media,” Wyant said. “I hope that students choose to make a rational decision based on their research,
rather than TikTok.”
Voting is important, but in the end, the most important thing is being united. Talk to others that walk a different path in life and learn. Every step taken forward in America is a step toward bringing unity among the people. In a time so divided, remember to have hope and to not be discouraged. Curet encourages others to “open an open conversation,” and how it’s beneficial to expand your beliefs by learning and listening to others.
“A discourse: try to see each other’s beliefs and then build upon your own,” Curet said. “That is the best way because once you realize your beliefs align with a candidate or you feel very strongly about something, you want to go vote. You want to stay involved.”
