×

Young Voters

Although it’s currently not election season, this week marks an important milestone for American voters.

Forty years ago, the legal age to vote was changed. This happened during the height of the war in Vietnam, where the average age of fighting soldiers was 19. But before the president signed the bill into law, the voting age was 21.

For four decades now, Americans have known that turning 18 years of age is an important occasion. It’s the age when a person officially becomes an “adult” under the law. At 18, you have reached the age in which you can exercise your right to vote.

But until 1970, this was not the case. Before then the magic number of age 18 did earn a right of passage. You could serve your country in the military, and back then, the legal drinking age was still 18. But the right to vote was still out of reach.

In light of such a milestone this is for American voters, it’s hard to believe that the legal voting age has been 18 for only 40 years. It doesn’t seem like a very long time in retrospect.

Young voters bring a different perspective to the table during election season, and they carry a lot of weight at the polls. Politicians know this, and the 18-21 demographic must be properly courted in order to win political races. Elected officials must be able to connect with young people and let the public know that they understand issues facing the younger generations.

Exercising your right to the vote for the first time can be empowering. It’s important that young people get involved in the political process, become interested in government and begin participating in the process in which decisions are made that affect their future.

For young Americans – and all Americans, for that matter – voting is not just a right or a privilege, it’s our civic duty.

Voters who are 18, 19 and 20 years of age should keep in mind during the next election how precious this is because not long ago, it was not possible for people their age to let their voices be heard.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today