Voting: Young people like me can’t skip out

In 2008, while I waited for my mom to vote, a man stepped out of line. Above the noise of our polling place he shouted “excuse me, everyone! I’d like to make an announcement.” He gestured to the woman behind him, “this is my daughter. She just turned 18 and this is her first time voting.”

Everyone cheered. The energy in the room was electric and I decided right then, at age 13, that when I turned 18 I would vote, too.

Now, at 25, I’m helping register other people to vote by virtually organizing students in Florida, one of the most notorious swing states.

Young people make up the largest, most diverse groups in American history and it’s important that, come Nov. 3, we show up.

Tuesday was National Voter Registration Day, but here in Washington we still have time. There’s a plethora of resources to help you register online. (I recommend vote.org.)

You can register online until Oct. 26 or, in person, at your elections office right up until Election Day.

Every year nearly two-thirds of Americans miss out on making their voices heard. This is one year you don’t want to miss.

This story was originally published September 26, 2020 at 4:08 PM with the headline "Voting: Young people like me can’t skip out."