With the October 7th, 2020 voter registration deadline approaching, we reached out to some high school students and asked them to write letters to other young people encouraging them to vote. These are the excellent replies we received.
From Alexandra Hagemeister:
Dear young eligible voter,
The 2020 presidential election is coming up soon, and it is dire that you participate in this election as a voter. Now more than ever, we need a leader that will stand up for all of us and protect the citizens of the United States of America. It is so important that you cast your vote in this election, because this election will affect you and influence your life in the future. And if there is anything that a young person should care about, it is their future.
Share your voice by casting a vote. If you care about the Black Lives Matter movement, climate change, COVID-19, or any other very important topic in our country, use your voice and your vote to speak up and make a difference.
Again, participating in this election is very important. If you do not care to vote for someone whose decisions influence your life and your future, then nothing will be done to fix our country.
From Alexia Nastasia:
Hello high school and college student peers!
I am Alexia Nastasia, a 16 years old high school student from Saint Louis, Missouri, and a proud member of a family of new immigrants from Eastern Europe to the United States of America.
While I am not eligible to vote until I turn 18, I am excited about youth participation in electoral processes and about doing my share of political engagement. Specifically, I have been engaged in political engagement research as a summer intern with Civitas Saint Louis and I am currently involved in phone canvassing for progressive political candidates in the state of Missouri through Meyers Okohson Political Consulting.
I am writing to encourage you to register to vote and to participate in the elections in November if you are eligible. Elections play a vital role in our democracy and at the current time, in the middle of a pandemic as well as a climate crisis, it is more important than ever for each young person to exercise the right to vote. According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Leaning and Engagement based at Tufts University in Massachusetts, young people can decide the coming elections if they participate fully, so youth participation is central to politics in our country. Increasing youth vote and youth political participation can help not only address the current health crisis, economic crisis, and climate change related crisis, but also reduce inequalities faced by various minority groups in regards to education, opportunity, and work.
Alexia Nastasia
Junior | Class of 2022 | Lindbergh High School
President | Girls Learn International Chapter
International Service Chair | Interact Student Board
Member | Student Life Advisory Committee | Lindbergh Schools Board of Education
From Grace Bradley:
The 2020 Presidential Election is only 6 weeks away!!!!
It is so important as American citizens, we remain civilly engaged!
Your vote MATTERS! Your vote can MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
4/10 Americans who were eligible to vote in 2016, did not vote. This is a problem!
Voter turnout is even lower amongst those under the age of 30. In 2016, voter turnout for ages 30 and under was roughly 30%! We can change this in 2020!!!
Your vote can determine the future. There is so much at stake in this upcoming election! These issues include, but are not limited to:
-Healthcare
-Women’s Reproductive Rights
-Climate Change
-Immigration Rights
There are so many ways you can be an active citizen this election season!
Election day is Tuesday, November 3rd!
18 and up?
REGISTER TO VOTE! – https://vote.gov/ (Deadline for voter registration is different within each state, make sure you check yours so you can register in time!)
Under 18?
PLEDGE TO REGISTER (ages 13-18): https://www.vote.org/pledge-to-register/ (Fill out this form to receive a text on your 18th birthday reminding you to register to vote!)
Other ways to get involved:
-Volunteer for a campaign
-Educate yourself and others!
-Encourage the people around you to vote
-Volunteer to work at a polling place! (Most are now offering the positions for anyone 15 and older)
-Volunteer as an election judge if you are old enough! (18 and older)
From Emma Scharff:
Hello! Did you know that one of the most powerful actions young people will have this fall is to vote? It is one of the only ways that the government actually takes into account what the American people want. The American Constitution granted many many powers to those elected into the government, as I’m sure you know, but the American people get to vote for and decide who represents us as a whole, who represents our ideas and morals. However, this year’s election is even more important. This year, your vote is a part of a fight, one that concerns millions of people both in and outside of the United States. Your singular vote could mean the difference between gaining recognition and respect or harm and invalidation for LGBTQIA+ people, people of the Black community, those who are at high risk for COVID-19, immigrants, Latinx people, Native American people, women of all races, and people outside of the United States. Our country is what we make it and it will care for who we chose for it to care for. The option to vote took years and lots of blood, sweat, and tears for some of us to receive and yet, not everyone is able to do it, but you can. How you act today will live with you for the next 4 years and the rest of the foreseeable future. Will you be able to say that you did all you can? Please, take the step to register to vote and make your voice heard!
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