18-year-old votes for the first time

I’m lucky. I turned 18 on Sept. 9, in time to vote in today’s historic election.

The election is shaping up to be one of the most controversial elections of modern United States history. According to most Americans neither of the main candidates is particularly popular. In fact, this is one of the first elections where large groups of Democrats and Republicans dislike their respective party’s candidate.

According to a Washington Post poll, 67 percent of respondents had an unfavorable view of Trump and 52 percent felt that way about Clinton. Despite these record low ratings, personally I’m excited for the election. It will impact my future and the future of our country. But there is a troubling trend in our country: Many eligible young people don’t vote.  Why have young voters consistently had the lowest voting numbers among all ages? And why doesn’t this year look to be much different?

I think the answer is because young people sometimes have trouble connecting with the candidates and seeing how their vote matters. Young people don’t always pay as much attention to the news and economy as their parents. After all, their parents are often still providing for them. So things like the stock market or a war in Iraq don’t seem to have a direct impact on young people. As a result, when the candidates are debating these issues, young

people might not relate to why they should care. It doesn’t help when the candidates insult each other a lot either.

Young voters think their vote does not matter. It does matter. If Hillary Clinton wins California by a lot of votes, it tells Congress the state strongly supports her platform. If she wins California in a close election, it tells Congress the opposite. Everyone has one vote and they all count.

Voter turnout of young people is especially important this year. According to npr.org, the youth vote,  ranging from people of 18-24 years of age, could be the deciding factor in this presidential race. Our generation has the opportunity to impact the type of future we want.

So what can you expect from your first time voting? I couldn’t tell you from previous experience, but I’m expecting a feeling of fulfillment in participating in a ritual that makes America a great country, a place where the people get to select their leaders and where the vote of an 18-year-old high school student counts the same as a billionaire business owner.

On Nov. 8, I will be wearing my “I Voted” sticker with pride.