By Daniela Jalteco
In a democracy, a government is chosen by voting in an election and allows the people to choose their leaders and decide on issues. The definition of voting, in the dictionary is a formal expression of opinion or choice, either positive or negative made by an individual.
Those who are registered to vote have a choice on what candidates they want in office. If you are registered to vote, you have great power and influence on the country’s fate.
You have the power to transform your city, your nation and your state. Voting is one of the most important rights that United States citizens have.
According to voting turnout statistics, about 218,959,000 Americans are eligible to vote and 146,311,000 are registered to vote. Unfortunately, only about half of those registered to vote actually vote.
Democracy cannot function if almost half of the population does not vote. Every single vote counts. All votes mold the future of the U.S and determine the future of the lives of those living in it.
Many citizens take their right to vote for granted. Not long ago, African Americans, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans and women were denied their right to vote.
They all faced obstacles and fought for their right to vote and what is now our right to vote. To this day, there are citizens of many countries who are denied any say or opinion about their government.
If you have an opinion on a certain issue or want something to change, then vote. Let your voice be heard through your ballot. If you don’t vote for your own interests, then who will?
Voting is important because it helps decide who will get elected into government, both local and national.
Voting also helps to decide if local referendums pass. For instance, education reform or tax reform. Considering how much of our country’s government is revolved around voting and elections, it would only make sense for everyone who is registered to vote to actually go and vote.
Taking into account on how the issues of the current elections will impact the nation and make history, everybody needs to vote. The story of this election will be the story of voters from generation Y also known as millennials generation. The millennial generation are those between the ages of 18 and 35.
Millennials have surpassed the baby boomers as the nation’s largest living generation, which makes it clear just how fundamental millennials will be in this year’s election.
Baby Boomers are those between the ages of 52 and 70.
In addition, the npr.org website says that baby boomers and millennials are each 31 percent of electoral and in total 62 percent of the overall electorate.
Millennials are one of this most liberal generations ever, making them very opinionated.
They have disagreements in today’s political issues but many are not voting.
Many millennials don’t believe that their vote will make a difference, but recent history has shown that elections can be decided by just a few votes.
Study.com states, “In fact, many local contests end in ties and each election year with winners being determined by a coin flip.”
This can easily be solved by having more people go out there and vote.
Don’t let a coin flip decide the future of the people. Many of the students here at East Los Angeles College fall into the millennial generation. So for those of you who think your vote will not make a difference, it does. It shapes the day of tomorrow and shapes the history that will be made by the decisions and opinions you make on your ballot on election day.
Vote and make a difference and represent what you believe in.
