A Call to Vote

by Victoria Vanriele

This September I turned 18 years old. I love celebrating each of my birthday milestones. Last year, I was able to obtain my driver’s license. Now, 18 is a major milestone--it's the year that I became eligible to vote.

As I think about it, 18 is the most consequential birthday I have had to date. Turning 18 is empowering, and I can’t wait to exercise that power! As a business major, it helps that I am taking college courses that broaden as well as deepen my knowledge and understanding of business and economic policies to make informed choices. I look forward to joining with like-minded people, including my 90-year old grandmother, to select a government that represents my values.

Government matters; it makes the difference between people living and dying.

These are the top ten reasons why I'm excited to cast my ballot in November:

10. In deference to all the people who were incarcerated and/or sacrificed their lives so that I, a young Black woman, could vote on matters that affect the quality of my life.

9. To preserve the American democracy where elections are free and unencumbered, and where the majority rules.

8. For a fair and just judicial system that guarantees equal justice for all, where anyone who commits murder, whether a civilian or the police, is subject to the same laws, held accountable and punished.

7. For environmentally responsible policies that promote good stewardship of the planet for the betterment of all creation, now and for future generations; and that create green jobs.

6. To ensure that all Americans have access to good quality health care, regardless of race and employment status, as this pandemic has amplified the gross health care disparities in our nation.

5. To stand up for immigration policies that recognize the value that immigrants have added to the growth and development of this country and treat all current immigrants with dignity.

4. For a strong economy that’s measured by broad job growth across industries and income levels, living wages for low income workers, and internship opportunities for young people.

3. For a society that fosters the right for anyone to move into an American community and live in harmony among neighbors, and without the indignation of being relegated as an interloper.

2. In support of access to equal educational opportunities for all young people, regardless of race and income levels, to facilitate earning a livelihood as adults.

1. To declare that TRUTH matters.

Voting is the inalienable American right to express one’s voice on matters related to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. As a demographic group, voters 18-29 lag substantially behind older voters in exercising our suffrage, forgoing our power to affect change. According to the Census Bureau, in 2016, 61.4 percent of the total eligible voting-age population reported voting, with the 18-29 year old component at 46.1 percent. So much is at stake for the country we will be inheriting. Please join me in exercising our right to vote in the November election, in person or by mail-in ballots. Let’s take a stance, and not fall collectively because of apathy, inertia or fear!