#StayWokeAndVote: 4 Reasons You Should Register to Vote Today

Election season is coming up soon, and if you will be 18 years old by November 8th, 2016 and are eligible to vote, you need to register today.

Why? Let me list a few reasons:

1. 18-25-year-old voters are the least represented demographic. One-fifth of eligible voters are 18-25 years old, however, only less than half of them show up to the polls. Being one-fifth of the voting population and the most diverse demographic, we have the power to make a drastic change in election outcomes. The truth is, the demographics that vote at the highest rates are the older populations, you know, the people who won’t be affected by the results in the long run.  As young people, it is our job to vote on issues that will affect our own futures. Every decision that is made on every level of government will impact your future in some way, this includes college affordability, immigration, and LGBT+ issues; these are the issues that we care about, and now we have the opportunity to do more than just tweet about it, take this opportunity!
2. If you had the opportunity to vote, and you didn’t take it, you can’t complain about the outcomes. Let’s be real, if the person you were rooting against wins the election, you’re going to complain about, I mean, who wouldn’t? And you have the right to… unless you didn’t vote. If you weren’t eligible, that’s fine, but if you were eligible to vote and you chose not to, you lose the right to complain because your vote could have made an impact and completely changed the outcome of the election. The right to vote shouldn’t be disregarded, it is incredibly important and it is your duty as an American citizen. Always choose to vote, you will never regret it.
3. Vote because you have the opportunity. American citizens are incredibly lucky to live in a country that values their voices, there are countries that can’t afford elections, don’t allow women to vote, and have limited suffrage in general. Take this opportunity that you have been lucky enough to have and use it, there are thousands of people who dream of being in your place. America is a democracy, and it doesn’t work if the people aren’t involved.
4. Just because you don’t care now, doesn’t mean you won’t later on. A lot of teens think they have better things to worry about than politics, you may say that now, but in a few years you will regret not voting. Take the “Brexit” vote for example, overnight, youth realized that they lost the right to live and work in 27 of the other European Union countries, and they were outraged. The polls were dominated by older voters, of whom very few would experience the ramifications of this decision, but who will have to live with this decision? British youth. They all regret deeply their choice not to vote, don’t let that be you.

Where you can get more information and register or pledge to register if you’re not eligible yet:

Rock the Vote

Dates and Deadlines by State

Voting is simply the easiest way to create the greatest impact in your country because every vote counts. If you want to make a change, go out and register now.