Go Vote: Students on the Importance of Voting

By Jacob Sumner, Rhea Wunsch, Monique Mendez, Tyler Limkeman, Daniel Kang, Maya Perez, Emily Paul and Alaina Sciortino

The power of youth will shine through in the November election. Here we stand, a group of college-aged individuals — members of the largest generation of eligible voters — who will be voting this November. Because we recognize the importance of voting, we can — and will — determine who wins this election.

We need to vote because this is the most important and consequential election of our lifetime. This election — and if we vote, us as individuals — will determine the future of our country for at least the next two years and beyond. We’re not just electing a President, we’re also electing 35 Senators, 435 members of the House of Representatives, and 5,876 state legislators representing more than 80% of the country.

Your vote matters. In a Virginia legislative election in 2017, the winner was decided by pulling a name from a hat after the election ended in a tie. In that election, turnout was under 45%. Had more people voted, it likely would not have ended in a tie.

What’s at stake this November? The future of our country. It’s likely that the next President will nominate at least two justices to the Supreme Court to a lifetime appointment. If you care about racial justice, voting rights or police brutality, vote! If you care about common sense gun safety measures, fully funding schools, or the cost of college, vote! If you care about how we respond to a pandemic, access to affordable health care, or abortion rights, vote! It’s likely that Congress and state legislators across the country will make decisions on all of these!

Our generation has the access required to be informed on politics at the tip of our fingerprints — yet many do not take advantage of this right. In order to progress our country’s future, it is up to our actions in the upcoming political elections. Young voters must understand the importance of being educated with the nominees’ political beliefs along with the ongoing issues throughout modern day America. The elected officials must reflect our generation as we are in control of the future. The change is happening now, and it is beginning with us.

But you shouldn’t just take our word for it. The late Congressman John Lewis said, “The vote is precious. It’s almost sacred, so go out and vote like you never voted before.” As former President Barack Obama said, “You wouldn’t let your grandparents pick your playlist. Why would you let them pick your representative who’s going to determine your future?” As former First Lady Michelle Obama said, “You’ve got to vote, vote, vote, vote. That’s it; that’s the way we move forward. That’s how we make progress for ourselves and for our country.”

100 years ago, women got the right to vote. 55 years ago, Black citizens got the right to vote. This November, have your voice be heard; get out and vote. This is the most consequential election of our lifetimes. Don’t sit on the sidelines; make your voice heard.

How to make a plan to vote: www.iwillvote.com

Visit www.winwithjacobsumner.com for more from Jacob Sumner.