Making a change starts at the local level and requires navigating difficult political structures that are often inaccessible to young people—but that doesn’t have to be the case. Participating in democracy is a fundamental American right. Today’s actions by political leadership impact our tomorrow on issues like climate change, health care, education, democracy, and more. It’s only right that students have a way to get involved, but youth engagement is often difficult in a country where we’re heavily politically limited until we’re 18 years old.
However, there are things you can do to learn more about politics and prepare to be an informed voter. In fact, the national impact I’ve made will help you do that. At 16 years old, I led the introduction of the High School Voter Empowerment Act in Congress, which designates high schools as voter registration agencies under federal law to make student voter registration easier. Getting involved can be hard, but I am working toward a future where every young person can advocate for the issues they care about. Here’s how you can do the same and learn more about political involvement and voting.
Voting isn’t just important—it’s necessary
Voting is the cornerstone of democracy, and you must take an active role in shaping our country so it reflects what we all care about. Regardless of your race, gender, sexuality, financial status, or level of education, nearly every American citizen is endowed with one vote, and everyone should use it. In times like this, it’s easy to think that your one vote doesn’t matter. Governments act in ways that are contrary to popular opinion; political leaders may be defiant of younger voices calling for change. Societal barriers that limit youth participation only exacerbate the inability for youth to get involved, creating a cycle of misrepresentation and turmoil.
But young people who make their voices heard will compel governments to act in ways that represent them. We’ve seen what happens when young people vote: The people who get elected fight for issues they and their communities care about. Without proper turnout from young voters, the government won’t equally reflect your needs and wants through policy in comparison to older voters. We need to fight for a country that embodies our goals, beliefs, and aspirations—a country of peace, built on collaboration between young and old. Voting is the key to overcoming this generational barrier. In fact, many states allow pre-registration, meaning you can register to vote even before you turn 18.
Related: 5 Reasons Why Young Adults Should Vote This Year (and Every Year)
Taking the initiative to get involved
Even though many high school students aren’t old enough to vote yet, that doesn’t mean you’re too young to get involved! The policies being made today will inevitably affect you tomorrow regardless of your voting status, so it’s only fair that you bring your voice to the decision-making table. One of the easiest ways is to reach out to your local political party, which likely has a chapter within your community. Reaching out to your local Democratic or Republican Committee, League of Women Voters, and others can give you the support you need to get involved.
Voter registration drives
A great place to start is leading voter registration efforts like I have. When I wanted to host a voter registration drive, I reached out to my local board of elections and asked how I could host one. After talking with a few people and completing a quick online training, I printed out 100 voter registration forms, gathered all my friends in a room, and registered them. If you choose to host one, remember that registering voters is not a Democratic, Republican, or Independent party issue—making your voices heard is an American issue. So try to keep specific politics out of it when registering voters.
It’s up to you to keep fighting and putting yourself out there, even when faced with possible defeat. If your school refuses to host a voter registration drive, see how you can organize one off campus. If other students try to bring you down, don’t let their words affect you. The path to sustainability and representation is a relentless pursuit, but hard work will pay off.
Related: Why and How to Seek Out Different Political Perspectives in College
Preparing for when you can vote
Going to the polls for the first time isn’t easy. Before you cast your first vote, be sure to prepare several weeks in advance, starting with ensuring you’re registered. Many states have deadlines for documents or registration requirements long before Election Day, and missing those could prevent you from voting entirely. Few states allow you to register at the polls on Election Day, so make sure to do your research beforehand. Here are the three key steps to voter prep once you’re registered:
Find your polling place
You can't just show up anywhere to vote; each person is assigned to a specific polling location based on their residential address, so you should check where yours is well beforehand. (College students may have the choice to register to vote where they attend college, so be sure to research this option as well.) If you can't make it to the polls on Election Day, you can request an absentee voting or voting by mail form if your state allows it. States have different processes and deadlines for requesting and submitting absentee ballots, so it's important to check your state's requirements. And be sure to request your absentee ballot early, as some states have strict cutoffs for applications. After receiving your ballot, fill it out carefully, following all instructions and signing where required. Finally, return it promptly to avoid missing the submission deadline, which could invalidate your vote.
Do your political research
Before you get to the polls or fill in your absentee ballot, quickly research the issues and candidates on the ballot for your community. Voting goes beyond Presidential and Congressional elections, with local candidates running for state legislature, school board, or city council as well. While federal elections receive heavy news coverage, the political leaders who most affect your lives are the often-overlooked local leaders. Need a pothole fixed? Did a tree fall on the main road? Want a new school policy? The US President won’t be taking care of that but rather your municipal board. I’ve worked on campaigns where a local candidate lost by just a few dozen votes. You never know how big of an impact your vote could really have, so take five minutes to do a search on your local candidates.
Make sure you have your ID
When you finally go to cast your vote, make sure you have a valid ID with you. If you have one, I recommend always bringing a REAL ID with you so you’re not prevented from voting the day of. If you don’t have one, many states will accept a passport or other forms of ID for first-time voters, like a bank statement or check. Then cast your ballot! Every vote made can have a significant impact.
Going beyond voting
Fighting for change does not end at the ballot box. While elections allow you to determine who you want to represent your voice, the real change we all seek comes later. After Election Day passes, regardless of the outcome, stay involved. There are lots of legislative opportunities to stay involved in after elections, including:
- Youth-led legislature: Most states and counties have chapters of youth-led political parties that frequently introduce and pass legislature. As Chair of the Virginia High School Democrats, I’ve helped 27 chapters across the state bring in candidates, host registration drives, and even work to create and lobby for a Virginia bill calling for K–12 media literacy. If you can’t find one in your community, research and reach out to your state political leaders to start one.
- Volunteering and interning: Volunteers on local campaigns, district phone callers for senators, and state delegate interns are always needed. With the ever-evolving nature of politics, there’s most certainly a candidate near you who’s trying to make a difference and would gladly take your help. This type of work also looks impressive on college and scholarship applications!
Related: How You Can Pursue Activism as a Student in High School or College
A year ago, I was volunteering for my state senator's campaign and knocking on doors for a local election. Today, those experiences allow me to lead my group of high school students to push for civic engagement. There’s no reason you can’t do these types of things and make an impact. When you put yourself out there, fight for what you believe in, and push yourself to be extraordinary, youth representation and political power will follow.
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