Voters younger than 29 are consistently the least likely to vote, with less than 50 percent voting in presidential elections from 1988 to 2016. As such, whichever candidate can successfully draw young voters to the polls has a substantial advantage.
Of course, college campuses, known for activism and political discourse, yield higher voter turnout. Tufts University reported that 66 percent of American college students voted in the 2020 election. As far as voter turnout for specific demographic groups goes, 66 percent is high, but that number should be even higher.
The low youth turnout is surprising to me. Through our use of the internet and social media, most of us have at least some knowledge of current events. Practicing your civic duty, no matter how inconvenient, is essential. Choosing not to vote is a grave mistake.
I am voting in this election because I care about social programs, abortion rights, and national character. These issues are very important to me, and I imagine all young Americans have issues that they deeply care about too. The best way to ensure that what you want for this country is addressed in government is by voting.
A 2022 Tufts study exploring why young people are not registered reported 30 percent of unregistered youths said they are “not sure,” 25 percent indicated that voting is not important to them, and 38 percent “didn’t know how to register,” “didn’t have time,” missed the deadline, or had problems with the form. Tufts uses the fact that so many participants cited a lack of time and information as reasons for not voting to argue that young voters are not apathetic, just that “society has not prepared them” to vote — but I disagree.
You need to be proactive to perform your civic duty. Neglecting that responsibility by not looking out for deadlines or creating time for voting is an example of voter apathy, and it is shameful.
In an age where almost everyone in the United States has access to the internet, a lack of information or preparedness is not a valid excuse. Organizations such as VOTE 411 and the League of Women Voters have clear instructions for registration, state voting laws, and even sample ballots. Speaking from personal experience, the Pennsylvania voter registration page is easy to navigate and includes important information like deadlines and voter ID laws. If one runs into an issue with registration or their ballot, one can call their County Commissioner of Elections.
Excusing oneself from voting due to being too confused or too busy is a symptom of voter apathy.
And that’s before we consider the 25 percent of voters who explicitly said that voting did not matter to them. The common beliefs that the system is too broken, one’s vote doesn’t count, or that both parties are equally flawed are simply ridiculous. These sentiments are based on the false notion that one cannot make a difference with their vote. Presidential and party policy is important, as they are certain to have significant effects on people’s lives.
If you have doubts about the differences between the two candidates, just look at their records. Compare the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration to those of the Trump administration.
There is a clear difference between the future Harris and future Trump administrations. Students at the College should examine the goals and policies of both candidates by reading the news and visiting their campaign websites.
Vote for your interest, the interests of your friends and neighbors, and the interests of the majority of Americans. Every American’s vote counts both in federal and local elections, and many Williams students come from states where their vote will be instrumental in the outcome of this close election. There are many issues on the line in this election, and I hope everyone has examined several topics they care deeply about.
You have the chance to be a part of history. If you failed to vote in both federal and local elections this November, you chose to throw away your voice.
Pauli Voelkel ’27 is from Penn Valley, Pa.
