Generation Z Joins the Electorate
Participation in young voters has increased as students cast their ballots for the first time
By Ethan Percival
Participation in young voters has increased as students cast their ballots for the first time
By Ethan Percival
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, and Republican President Donald Trump is running for re-election, opposed by former Vice-President Joe Biden. Joe Biden is currently favored to win, leading polling with 52% compared to Donald Trump’s 42%, according to data website Fivethirtyeight.com.
Already, early voting numbers have exceeded records. By Oct. 23, more than 25 million American ballots had already been cast, leading experts to believe that this election will have the highest turnout out of some of the most recent presidential elections yet. Young people especially are voting in larger numbers than they did previously.
US History teacher Peter Glasser feels that the efforts made by younger voters are important in determining the future of the country, and the opportunity to take part in elections, especially in America is something that citizens should be taking advantage of.
“It couldn’t be more important for young people to vote in our election,” said Glasser. “It’s so important to have your voice be part of the conversation. I vote in everything. I don’t care if it’s one of those June elections that people are unaware are even happening. I always vote. It’s my opportunity to lend my voice to the direction that the country is taking. There are countries in the world, where people are walking for days, dodging machine-gun fire to cast a ballot.”
San Jose city councilman Johnny Khamis agrees, emphasizing the importance of people getting their voices heard through voting.
“It's important to participate in our elections because it's our voice that allows politicians to be elected and for issues like taxes and regulations to be passed,” Khamis said.
With more than 220,000 United States citizens dead from COVID-19, many people feel that President Trump is not handling the pandemic well, and that it is necessary to vote him out of office during this unique situation, in order for life to return to a semblance of normal.
“I dislike a lot of things about what President Trump did in office, especially his handling of COVID-19,” said Angelina Tran, 11. “I don’t think he ever took it seriously, especially now since he’s still holding rallies with no social distancing or masks.”
However, people can still cast their ballots safely, despite COVID-19’s challenge, with voting by mail has become the most preferred way of voting across the country. Coincidentally, Santa Clara County follows the Voter’s Choice Act from in 2018, giving every registered voter a mail-in ballot, with more days of early voting along with more voting locations.
“I have always voted by mail so I do appreciate the convenience that the Voter’s Choice Act gives to voters” said Khamis.
Although the presidential election is the main concern on many people’s minds, voting in local elections is also very important to many, as many propositions are on the ballot for citizens to vote on.
“It is important to vote in local elections because if you want to make a change you have to start small,” said Tran. ”Besides, local elections focus more on the people in the community, so it would be helpful.”
While most people have already cast their ballots, voting and registration is still open until the end of Tuesday, Nov. 3, and everyone who votes will have an impact on the community that they wouldn’t have had otherwise.
“You only have to look at my election in June 2012 to understand how close elections are at the local level. There was only one vote difference between number one and number two,” said Khamis. “Your vote matters.”
Already, early voting numbers have exceeded records. By Oct. 23, more than 25 million American ballots had already been cast, leading experts to believe that this election will have the highest turnout out of some of the most recent presidential elections yet. Young people especially are voting in larger numbers than they did previously.
US History teacher Peter Glasser feels that the efforts made by younger voters are important in determining the future of the country, and the opportunity to take part in elections, especially in America is something that citizens should be taking advantage of.
“It couldn’t be more important for young people to vote in our election,” said Glasser. “It’s so important to have your voice be part of the conversation. I vote in everything. I don’t care if it’s one of those June elections that people are unaware are even happening. I always vote. It’s my opportunity to lend my voice to the direction that the country is taking. There are countries in the world, where people are walking for days, dodging machine-gun fire to cast a ballot.”
San Jose city councilman Johnny Khamis agrees, emphasizing the importance of people getting their voices heard through voting.
“It's important to participate in our elections because it's our voice that allows politicians to be elected and for issues like taxes and regulations to be passed,” Khamis said.
With more than 220,000 United States citizens dead from COVID-19, many people feel that President Trump is not handling the pandemic well, and that it is necessary to vote him out of office during this unique situation, in order for life to return to a semblance of normal.
“I dislike a lot of things about what President Trump did in office, especially his handling of COVID-19,” said Angelina Tran, 11. “I don’t think he ever took it seriously, especially now since he’s still holding rallies with no social distancing or masks.”
However, people can still cast their ballots safely, despite COVID-19’s challenge, with voting by mail has become the most preferred way of voting across the country. Coincidentally, Santa Clara County follows the Voter’s Choice Act from in 2018, giving every registered voter a mail-in ballot, with more days of early voting along with more voting locations.
“I have always voted by mail so I do appreciate the convenience that the Voter’s Choice Act gives to voters” said Khamis.
Although the presidential election is the main concern on many people’s minds, voting in local elections is also very important to many, as many propositions are on the ballot for citizens to vote on.
“It is important to vote in local elections because if you want to make a change you have to start small,” said Tran. ”Besides, local elections focus more on the people in the community, so it would be helpful.”
While most people have already cast their ballots, voting and registration is still open until the end of Tuesday, Nov. 3, and everyone who votes will have an impact on the community that they wouldn’t have had otherwise.
“You only have to look at my election in June 2012 to understand how close elections are at the local level. There was only one vote difference between number one and number two,” said Khamis. “Your vote matters.”