When young adults come to college, a different and uncharted world opens up to them. Coming to college is a step toward complete independence. Most importantly, it is the start of a new adventure in adulthood.
With that adulthood status comes more responsibilities. This does not mean just getting to that 9 a.m. lecture on time.
One of the new responsibilities college students face is the act of voting. Despite the many arguments against it and the many responsibilities that outweigh it, voting matters on the national level, the state level and the local level.
We have all heard variations of the same argument — “Why should I vote? It’s not like my vote actually counts.” This argument is exactly why so many voices from younger generations go unheard.
Voting is one of the core factors in a democracy, and too often younger generations take it for granted. We have an opportunity to give input into how our government is run — whether it be in Washington D.C. or in Moscow.
For many, the last presidential election reinforced the thought that younger voices count little in large elections. However, millennials accounted for 34 million votes in the 2016 general election, according to the Pew Research Center. Though it can be hard to tell, college-aged people are casting their votes and making a difference.
A single vote in a sea of so many voters is not going to create the largest political dent. And while this thought is justified to some extent, it should not outweigh the importance of a single vote — the statistics prove it.
There is an area where people can vote and have their voices heard loud and clear — local elections.
Moscow’s municipal elections take place Nov. 7. This is an opportunity to have a say in how local government is run, and decide who is making the big decisions that will affect each and every one of us in some way.
Whether it be expanding public transportation options, making downtown Moscow more welcoming for students at the University of Idaho or opening more affordable housing options, the candidates in this election have a vision for Moscow. It is our obligation to vote for those that best fit our own visions of Moscow.
For more information on this year’s city council and mayoral candidates, visit uiargonaut.com to view the Moscow City Voter Guide. For more information on voting, visit the City of Moscow website.
More Information —
- Polls open at 8 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
- All voting will take place at the Latah County Fairgrounds