Voting is the cornerstone of democracy. It is a right mentioned in and protected by the Bill of Rights and it plays a large role in many aspects of the United States government. Yet it is also often overlooked or brushed off, this is especially true on the state and local levels.
According to the U.S Census Bureau, the 2020 presidential election had an unprecedentedly high turnout of 67%. Despite this, voter turnout has been on the decline for the past decades. Voting, especially in local and state elections, can have a large direct influence on day-to-day life.
Transportation, school districts, public services, and many other things are handled by districts, which voters can have a direct role in shaping. The most recent was the 20th district’s Congressional primary elections on November 2nd.
State elections can also shape daily life. The midterms will be held in 2022. During this time, the next governor, as well as house representatives, senators, and other important positions will be chosen.
By then, most seniors, as well as many juniors will be eligible to vote. The voting process, however, comes with a lot of questions, particularly for those who have never done it before.
Pre-Registering
One step teenagers can take is pre-registering to vote. Pre-registering allows teens to submit their registration to vote before the voting age. This means that their registration gets put under “pending”, once they turn 18, they are all set up to vote. Though it can vary by state, Florida lets teens pre-register once they turn 16 years old.
According to a study published by Duke University, pre-registration can mobilize young voters, increase voter turnout, and increase the participation of minorities in voting. Becoming involved in voting at an early age can mean higher engagement as an adult as well.
For those interested in pre-registering, visit here.
Dates & Locations
Another important step in terms of voting is being aware of the dates, locations, and elections taking place throughout the year. Different elections take place at different points of the year and some may be moved or postponed, even more so while there’s still the threat of COVID.
For those voting for the first time, the process can seem hectic and overwhelming, but there are plenty of resources to keep them up to date.
Most information about voting times and locations can be found in the elections section on dos.myflorida.com. Individual counties as well as the details for their elections can be found there. Most counties have their own websites that can contain information about their specific elections, as well as their election calendars for the year so that voters can plan ahead of time.
Who Is Running?
One of the most important steps when voting is knowing who is on the ballot. Researching candidates and their plans is key when voting. Looking at a candidate’s history is also vital— what they have supported in the present, the past, and their qualifications give a better image of who they are.
Candidates usually have websites to represent themselves and their plans. Social media is another powerful tool that can be used to find out about who is running for what position. For those who are running for reelection, the actions they have taken while in office should also be taken into account.
Part of being an active citizen is to vote on the issues that matter and the people in charge. So even for those that are not eligible to vote yet, keeping up with local and state elections and leaders helps increase involvement in the community and preparedness in the future.
