Democracy needs voices and voters to work. Dictatorships only need silence. Use your voice, help defend democracy, go vote.
There you have it. Voting matters, more than ever in today’s political climate. Once you are registered in your state, you can look for other ways to engage with politics.
This is your first step into a larger world.
To start the ball rolling, you need to register to vote. There are several resources available to help you here.
By registering, you are added to the potential voters list that both political parties have access to. They now have to account for you. And they will notice if suddenly a new group of people are deciding to have their voice heard.
You could see this in action after the recent Hobbs supreme court decisions which reversed Roe vs Wade. There was a sudden surge of political activism and voter registrations surged in many states, especially Kansas, directly impacting the next vote on abortion rights.
Political parties do care about your involvement from the very beginning. Each congressperson is acutely aware of the demographics in their districts or states and craft their political messages and actions to cater to those groups. When you register, you alter that calculation.
In addition, the polls that politicians are tuned into all the time. Those polls can be restricted to "registered voters" or "likely voters". If you register to vote, your opinions can be added to these polls.
Standing in line to vote on election day is the most common way to vote. However it can be incredibly restrictive to vote during the day on the 1st Tuesday in November.
Depending on your state's laws, there may be more convenient ways to vote. Vote by mail, and early voting are some of the options that are available.
Most people think of the general election as the most important part of the election. Its also the part where people seem to be choosing from the "lesser of two evils".
It doesn't have to be this way, but it does require your participation.
The primary election is the qualifying round that more voters need to participate in. Traditionally, this process has elevated candidates that may be too extreme or do not relate to the public at large, leading to a problem of not being excited for the general election.
In addition to the big election day, add in a reminder for when your primary vote is scheduled. This is the qualifier to become the nominee. If your party is not in power, this is the best time to find the candidate you want.
Both parties are going to be monitoring these elections not just on who the winners or losers were, but who voted and why. Even if your candidate does not make it past this round, a sudden surge of young voters voting for an unexpected candidate can have huge ramifications. The candidate who wins may change their tune or emphasize new policies in order to ensure you stay active and voting.
First and foremost, it is important as a US citizen to use your voice, as voting is the most important voice we have as a representative democracy. Every vote counts, and with the recent example of Trump winning in 2024, it has become pertinently clear that voting makes a difference, by the very definition. In today’s climate especially, showing up to vote is paramount. The younger generations need to prove that they are showing up and engaged in politics.
First, figure out how voting in your state works: https://www.eac.gov/voters/register-and-vote-in-your-state Then, you need to register: https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote Finally, make sure you’ve registered successfully: https://www.usa.gov/confirm-voter-registration
Keep in mind that voting can be different, state by state. As an example, Oregon uses mail-in ballots for everything while in Michigan, you must appear at a voting booth in-person. Another thing to keep in mind is that by registering as an Independent, you are sometimes restricting yourself from primary votes and voting for certain candidates.
(Do more research in this section -- find a resource that finds local elections)