Only 50% of the youth that were eligible to vote, voted in the 2016 general election. This year, the midterm elections are being held on Tuesday, November 6, and there have been promises made by youth organizations that they are ready to go to the polls and support whichever candidate supports their future.
One major push is being made by Parkland student, David Hogg, who promises that he and those who want to see change will be voting for those who are “not in the middle-ground.” Hoggs has been a major influence on youth around the country after the Parkland shooting and is now rallying teens together and encouraging them to use their voice to improve and unify America, instead of sitting back and watching it be torn apart.
“If you listen real close, you can hear the people in power shaking. They’ve gotten used to being protective of their positions, choosing the safety of inaction. Inaction is no longer safe.” Hogg said during his speech at the March of Our Lives rally.
The United States has also seen an enormous impact being made by celebrities around the country. One particular example being singer Taylor Swift; she is taking it upon herself to encourage everyone to register to vote. Swift took to social media to urge the youth to vote for those who “will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country.” Her posts also voiced the importance of early, absentee ballots.
Swift took the issue to her Instagram and posted a picture with the caption, “In the past, I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now.”
