Most people are aware that voter turnout in the U.S. is low – it is topic often lamented by older adults, who usually blame millennials for the death of yet another American institution. It is easy for young people to write off these complaints as having no value. There is truth, however, in these complaints: many young Americans do not vote.

Voter turnout

The estimated voter turnout rate of eligible voters in the 2016 presidential election was only 58 percent. These numbers decrease significantly for midterm elections, especially among young generations of voters. According to an analysis by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), only about 20 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds cast ballots in the 2014 elections. This is the lowest turnout rate in the past 40 years.

There are many factors that seem to influence these low turnout rates. Income, race and educational level all affect how likely someone is to vote. It can also be confusing to vote, especially for college students who are not currently living in their home state.

Often, college students believe that their vote does not matter.

Dr. Justin Leinaweaver, Drury professor of political science, is an organizer of an on-campus event called Pizza and Politics, where students are encouraged to digest current political events (as well as pizza). Pizza and Politics meets in changing locations every other Wednesday at 12 p.m. and is an accessible resource for students wanting to educate themselves before the upcoming November election.

When asked why students should exercise their right to vote, Dr. Leinaweaver stated, “I believe it is a chance for every citizen to stand up and be counted based on the kind of future they want for the country.”

Young generations have the capacity to change politics – if only we just go to the polls.

Even though presidential elections are far more publicized than midterms, such as the upcoming vote on Nov. 6, every person’s individual vote is more powerful in local elections, including midterms, than in presidential elections.

“In low turnout elections for city and county offices, plus most midterms, your voice is even louder simply because you participated,” said Dr. Leinaweaver.

The elections that matter most are the ones that we are not voting in.

TLDR; no one else is going to vote for you. Besides, you do not get to complain about what the opposition is doing in office if you did not cast your vote in the first place. So go out there and vote!

Written by Lauren Barclay.