November is around the corner and the 2020 elections are just around the corner. Since America is a democracy, the people have a voice in the elections whether it’s local or national. It’s more important than ever to get your vote in for an election that only happens every four years. By voting, you are voting for where your taxes go to, what laws get passed and what values you believe should run our country.

  The democratic system is in full swing during elections and teenagers forming their opinions on politics to adults can see how this process works and see how they can contribute to it. 

According to Business Insider, around 138 million Americans voted in the 2016 election. That is over half the United States of the legal age to vote. Another big factor is swing states or battleground states. They are huge factors within elections that have a big impact on an election. These states are fighting for the title democratic or republican and the presidential candidate an advantage or disadvantage. 

Voting is a civic duty that can change America for the better or worse. However, voting is not only in presidential elections. It’s more important it’s also important to vote locally as well. Locally, with states passing laws, these local elections for your city or state will affect your personal life. Even with the importance of voting, not everyone participates. 

Almost 100 million people sat out in the election of 2016. The Stanford Daily states that some studies show that people that are under the age of 30, have a low income and education are less likely to vote. If they were pushed to vote, their background and experiences will impact the results of local and national elections.

When it comes down to getting your vote out, there are three main ways to do it. One method is voting by mailing in your vote. If you are the legal age will get a green piece of paper in the mail to register and get a postal voting application. Another way is going to local polls; they are commonly in schools, community centers and public facilities. Lastly, you can vote online for the presidential election. Online election process can be a bit more tricky with scams, however, you can find your state websites and it should take you through the process. The Younger Generation is slowly taking over the election process. Our vote is more vital than ever. Generation Z is the backbone of the Black Lives Matter movement, awareness of global warming and LGBTQ+ activism. According to Pew Research, Millennials and Gen Z cast 21.9 million more votes in 2018 than 2014. As the number of votes from younger generations rise to pick a leader who will lead their future it is important to be educated.

Famous singer Billie Eilish debuted a new song about the future and told her fans that voting is very important this year.

Billie Eilish stated, “Silence is not an option and we cannot sit this one out,” “We all have to vote like our lives and the world depends on it because they do. The only way to be certain of the future is to make it ourselves.” 

If you are not 18 years old, but still want to be involved with the elections, there are ways to do so. Be educated on local and national news, take part in local activism and educate about the importance of voting in elections. If you want to support candidates you can volunteer or go door to door. 

Politics should be something all citizens are involved in. They guide the way our country is run. I believe everyone should be educated during this election. This is a vital time for our future and the younger generations should be aware of issues in America. This is our future and as the people of America. It is our responsibility to use our democracy to our full advantage to make changes for the better