Issues: Youth Voting
One of the most basic rights in any democracy is the right to vote. Over the years, young people have become more engaged in the electoral process. In 2008, we turned out in record numbers for President Obama and candidates up and down the ballot. The College Democrats of America know that young people are a powerful voting bloc and a powerful voice in support of change.
Your vote is your voice, and it matters.
Why? Because today’s political issues shape the future; because if we don’t care now, today’s problems will only get worse. Politics has an impact on who we are as Americans and what we aspire to be. Your voice can help determine the path of our country – if we move forward or adopt once again the failed policies of the past.
Think about it this way.
So many of the laws and policies we enjoy today are built on the shoulders of those who fought for change before us.
Your civil rights were cemented by the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. Those laws were the product of years of toil by civil rights activists in the 1960’s who risked their lives to make voting a right for all Americans.
Your financial aid was first established in the G.I. Bill by President Harry Truman, and was recently expanded by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. George Miller (D-CA) in 2007 and again by Congressional Democrats and President Obama in 2010.
Your vote made the difference in 2008 in states like Florida, Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and across the country as student turnout doubled in many precincts and made the difference to help Democrats win up and down the ballot.
Think about how you can impact today’s policy debates.
Make your voice heard in:
- Ensuring that our public schools have the funding to give all American students a quality education
- Supporting the repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy
- Repairing America’s image abroad
- Protecting our environment and raising awareness of climate change
- Providing quality, affordable health care for all Americans
- Keeping the doors of opportunity open to middle-class Americans fighting for the American Dream
- Helping workers get a fair shake in the workplace and keeping good jobs from going overseas
- Keeping our economy strong in order to create jobs
Your vote matters because in the end, we are the recipients of what today’s politics brings. Sooner or later, we must confront these challenges.
College Democrats have also compiled a document that can be found below, making it easy for students to understand the voting process and their rights. It is a great resource for students to use in the upcoming 2010 Election to learn about eligibility requirements, deadlines, and voter registration info. If you’re a Democrat Abroad, have no fear there are wonderful resources for you as well! Click here to find more information about voting abroad.
Get involved. Join a chapter. Start a chapter. It’s all up to you. Your vote is your voice.
