The world of politics is vast. Every four years, when a new president is elected, the months leading up to the election turn the entire country into a battlefield between the left and the right. There are two sides, each receiving tens of millions of votes. Many think, “Surely my one vote doesn’t matter in a sea of others.” I used to think this way myself, but the number of people who believe that their vote doesn’t matter is precisely the issue.
If approximately 75 million people vote for each candidate in every presidential election, that results in a total of 150 million votes cast.
In 2020, approximately 51% of people aged 18-24 voted in the presidential election. Only 48% of voters participated in 2024. That means that less than half of all young voters participated in the presidential election. There are around 32 million people aged 18-24 in the United States. Around 15 million of our youth did vote at all in the United States during the last election.
This mindset of “my vote doesn’t matter” has caused significant damage; it affects not just individuals but millions who believe they are insignificant, when in reality, if a large group of them voted together, they could sway the entire election in favor of one side.
People shouldn’t give up when faced with a massive issue; coming together to address these challenges is the solution, but it requires everyone to participate.
I’m not going to entertain the idea that politics aren’t a volatile place; it always has been and always will be. I believe it is our responsibility to advocate for what we think is right. Inaction is also a form of action, and in the realm of politics, it is invariably more detrimental than advocating for a cause.
I hope the youth will feel more inclined to vote in this upcoming presidential election as President Trump’s term of blind worship is coming to an end. Those who’ve felt the damage of his actions hopefully will vote for a better future.
