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Why Millennials Should ROC the Vote!

We’re not alone, we overhear people complain all the time – in line at the grocery store, at work, out at happy hour – about issues that impact their lives and how they wish something would be done. Sometimes the concerns are minor like the giant pothole they have to drive around to get home, property taxes that are too high to buy a house in the neighborhood they like, or lack of a grocery store nearby. Sometimes they are major issues like gun control, police brutality, or immigration.

But, you know what we don’t always hear? We don’t hear people critically discussing these issues, generating ideas or taking action. Ultimately they would rather complain than do something about the issues that concern them. We’ve been taught that it’s taboo to talk about politics, religion or any other possibly contentious topic. Remaining uninformed and avoiding in-depth consideration of the issues won’t solve anything… but what if there were a way to help change the issues that are important to us and it wouldn’t take much effort on our parts?

Good news! There is a way to be a part of the change, and it’s called voting. Elected officials from town councils, school boards, county executives, mayors and state assembly representatives all the way to governors and senators are responsible for being our voice in local, state and federal government. They answer to us and are supposed to create and lobby for legislation that reflects our needs. Voting is our opportunity to decide who gets to be our voice.

So, why don’t we do it more?

Voting and Registration by Age in New York: 2014ROCthevote

In the United States in 2014, 17.1 percent of 18-to-24-year-olds voted, compared with 59.4 percent of those 65 and older. In New York in 2014, only 14.9 percent of 18-to 24-year olds voted.

Voting rates are historically higher in years with presidential elections than in congressional election years. For example the national voting rate in 2014 -a Congressional election- was 41.9 percent while the national voting rate in 2012 -a Presidential election- was 61.8 percent. For 2014, the voting rate in New York was only 34.4 percent – lower than the national voting rate of 41.9 percent.

As you can see from these statistics, millennials are less likely to be registered and as such are much less likely to cast their vote in elections. By failing to be informed and actively vote, we are allowing older generations, with generally more conservative views, to speak for us.

It’s almost impossible these days to escape talk of politics. In a presidential election year, with highly contested candidates, you just can’t get away! As we approach November, more and more ads will appear, debates will be televised, and our family, friends, and co-workers will (hopefully) be having meaningful discussions about the issues and candidates. Make sure that you don’t let the national election completely overshadow local issues. Don’t forget to be informed about your local elections and be prepared to cast your vote and make a difference!

Check your registration status and learn about voting deadlines here: http://www.vote.org/voter-registration-deadlines/

Get informed about candidates and ways to Rock the Vote here: http://www.rockthevote.com/get-informed/elections/state/new-york.html

Not sure where your polling location is? Check here: http://www2.monroecounty.gov/elections-sites.php

Want to make sure you know which candidate to back? Take a quiz and find out who sides with you on the important issues: http://www.isidewith.com/elections/2016-presidential-quiz

 

 

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