In the United States, the process to become an active citizen starts incredibly early — at 16 years old, you can pre-register to vote. When you turn 18, you get full access to one of the most important responsibilities that exists in a democracy: voting. For those of us eligible to vote at Andover, it’s time to get to work. Go register to vote, as it is the beginning of your direct participation in shaping the future of the nation.
You may be asking yourself what difference your vote makes, but you’re falling into the trap of self-doubt. The truth is whether or not you vote, a candidate will get elected, and your voice could be part of deciding who that person is. Every single election is a determination of who could represent your interests, values, and future dreams. If you don’t know who to vote for in the presidential election, this does not mean you cannot use your voice. In fact, this fall and coming winter, there will be many opportunities to use your voice and vote for a candidate of your choice. Proactively researching each candidate’s policies and campaigns is also incredibly important to ensure we’re not inadvertently working against our own beliefs. Those who work for us in government are not just abstract entities of power but active decision-makers in matters capable of influencing your life.
Leaders produce and shape the policies through which they navigate our world, including regulations on climate change, healthcare, and civil rights, among other national issues. The beauty of democracy lies in the fact that these politicians are meant to be responsive to the people: they advocate for our needs, not the other way around. They are there because the electorate put them there. So why not make sure the person holding that power aligns with what you believe? Choose who represents you. Choose who will shape the laws and policies that impact your everyday life.
Think of voting in terms of choosing the pen that writes the next chapter of your story, the person who will tell the world what matters to you. By not voting, you are effectively allowing others to make your choices. You are simply giving up your part in this democratic process and, with it, any possibility of a say in which way the country turns. That is far from that notion, which would be as simple as checking off a box or fulfilling a civic duty. That would involve owning up to yours, your parents’, your friends’, and everyone’s future in this country and ensuring that your voice is heard. Your voice is not merely a cry in an ocean of people, and your people should never be left unheard — especially those who can’t vote because of age. Volunteering at a small table in front of an Asian supermarket as I urged people to register to vote, desperately holding out the clipboard when I would have given anything to be in their place opened my eyes to the opportunities lost simply because people don’t care enough. If you’re eligible to vote in this upcoming election, do it. Not just for yourself, but for the people who can’t.
When you go into that booth to vote or mail in your absentee ballot, you are one of the millions who are all choosing together the course this nation will take. This is not a moment to still be on the sidelines. Whether the issues that matter most to you are social justice, environmental conservation, or the economy, find out where the candidates stand to make an informed choice. Our democracy works best when everyone participates — including you. Let your vote reflect your values, your hopes, and the change you want to see in the world.
