Parading the Polls

Note: This story includes editorial content.

With election season in full swing, voters are racing to the polls across the country, the fate of nationwide campaigns in the hands of the American people.

For many of us, this election is shaping up to be the most important one of our lifetimes. The Presidential election alone is proving to be one that will completely change the future of our country.

Alongside the presidential race, both the statewide and local elections are proving to be significant. Thirty-four states, including Kansas, will elect U.S. Senators this year who, ultimately, are able to determine just how far our elected president can go in appointing justices and judges. It is also a race to determine which party will take control of the Senate that has been held by the Republican party since 2015.

As campaigning begins, both Democrats and Republicans are pushing for support from the independent voters. Independents account for 29.09% of registered voters in the United States. Therefore, their votes are vital in determining the results of every election nationwide.

That is why it is so important that the younger generation register to vote. In Kansas, the deadline to register to vote is Oct. 13. You must be 18 years old prior to this date in order to legally vote at the polls on Nov. 3.

In 2018, the youth voter turnout exceeded expectations and is expected to do the same in the 2020 election. While many members of the younger generations hold anti-Trump sentiments, they don’t necessarily support the Democratic views either, which is why the results of this election are so unpredictable.

Gen Z, those born between 1996-2015 specifically are considering themselves to be the growing backbone of our nation. With their biggest priority being diversity and social issues, Gen Z is proving to not only be the most powerful young generation in history in terms of public voice, but the one that has the potential make the most change.

For many of Gen Z, this election will be the first that they are able to vote in, and therefore poll results are likely to be more vast and based on morals rather than party identification.

While the two major parties still have a strong support of millennial generation voters, it is uncertain which party will earn more support from the new group of voters for this election.

Now more than ever, it is important that we choose change and what is right rather than voting for a party or household name. When younger generations rush to the polls on Nov. 3, it is likely that this is exactly what we’ll see.