With elections right around the corner low voter registration amongst Gen-Z is increasingly concerning. This needs to change because it is important for the next generation to use their vote for the betterment of their futures.
The process of preregistering is fairly simple and worth the few minutes it takes to complete. To qualify to preregister to vote, teens must be 16-17 years old and those who turn 18 by election day are automatically registered to vote. This small action affects many of the most important decisions made in California and the United States.
Data provided by The Civics Center shows pre-registration around California in August 2021, and Orange County had a low pre-registration rate of 14.27% with a 2.37% increase since 2021 and the highest pre-registration rates were in San Mateo with 18.65.% with only a 1.53% increase since 2021. Low voting rates have become a trend in California and it is not showing promising improvements as time passes.
“Young people are powerful and they can change the world and change their country and change the direction of our country and bring about some of the great things that I hear my young students want out of the world,” said teacher Robert Lynde.
As a democracy it is crucial to not sit on the sidelines and watch hoping for the best, but to use our votes to make things happen. It is troubling to see that people around ages 18-30 typically don’t vote, leaving the results in the hands of mostly older generations. The sooner Gen Z learns about the politics and elections that are relevant in our society, the sooner their voice will be heard and changes can be made. Big decisions being made by a few people can create an undesirable outcome for the majority.
If teens choose to not pre-register or register to vote, they are only affecting the future of their generation and others to come. As other generations phase out, the upcoming generations need to have active voices and opinions to make decisions that will impact society. They should also understand the history of voting and how crucial it is for society.
At SJHHS, Lynde makes an effort to emphasize to his students the importance of voting and using the voice they were given in our democracy. He also teaches that throughout history not everyone was given the right to vote, but when they were, the government became more responsive and we started seeing equal rights.
“They want equality, they want everyone having an equal opportunity in the world, they want to see change – they could have that if every young person voted” said Lynde.
Once more, Gen Z are the leaders of today who decide the future for generations to come and should use their ability to vote to their advantage. Impactful implementations like women and African American rights, along with LGBTQ+ and religious inclusion is made possible only when voices are heard and votes are made. The future of our society lays on the shoulders of the young Gen Z voters who want to make a change in the world.
