We have been taught from an early age that voting is every citizen’s civic duty. It is one of the most important ways to let our elected officials know what we want of our government. As a first-time young voter, I am looking forward to casting my ballot in my first presidential election.
I have been interested in the world of politics since the 5th grade. Four years ago I became deeply engaged with the issues on the 2016 ballot. I saw how the issues before the voters impacted everyone, including young people. I was motivated to vote as soon as I was able to. But, because I turned 18 between the primary and general election, I was crushed to realize that I and other young people in my situation could not vote in the primary to help determine which candidates would go on to the general election.
There are many young voters like me in California who are currently denied full participation in the election cycle. We are old enough to have jobs, pay taxes, accrue student debt, and enlist in the military. We are contributing to our society and economy just as adults do, and we should be able to have a say in the issues important to our future.
When I realized that I and other new voters could not participate in the full cycle in the 2020 election, I decided that there had to be a solution. I reached out to Assembly member Kevin Mullin, who agreed that young people getting half a vote doesn’t make sense and that we should do something about it.
I was honored to work alongside Assemblymember Mullin to get ACA4 passed by the California Legislature to put Proposition 18 on the ballot.
Proposition 18 will allow first-time voters who turn 18 before the general election the opportunity to participate in the full election cycle. California is behind 18 other states on this front, including red states such as South Carolina and Kentucky, purple states and blue states that allow first-time voters to participate in the primary if they will turn 18 by the general election.
Democracy requires voter participation to be sustainable, and it starts with young people making a habit of voting. Historically, young people have not shown up to the polls at the same rate as their parents and grandparents. With Proposition 18, that can be changed. More young people would get involved and vote if we had that opportunity. Research shows that voting is habit forming and those who vote in an election are more likely to do so again. This will increase participation in this important civic duty, and encouraging early involvement in voting will strengthen our democracy.
Proposition 18 is on the ballot at a very important time. We are seeing politicians across the United States trying to make it harder for people to vote. Now more than ever, it’s important to safeguard and strengthen our democracy by expanding the right to vote.
Young people are spearheading some of our nation’s most critical movements. We are motivated to lead on issues regarding the environment, social justice, gun safety, and racial justice because these issues impact us personally and the state of our nation. Young voters who turn 18 before the general election should have the opportunity to express their opinions with their vote in the full electoral process.
Having Proposition 18 on the California state ballot is a sign that our government cares about young people and what we have to say. It shows that young voters can be trusted to support our democracy by voting in the full election cycle. Allowing first time young voters who turn 18 by the general election to also vote in the primary will help to build a more stable and sustainable democracy. This is something all voters can get behind.
Ella Yitzhaki is an 18-year-old California voter and senior at Lowell High School in San Francisco.
"bring" - Google News
October 27, 2020 at 02:38AM
https://ift.tt/3jxMFvu
Yes on California Prop. 18 to bring in new voters - The Pasadena Star-News
"bring" - Google News
https://ift.tt/38Bquje
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Yes on California Prop. 18 to bring in new voters - The Pasadena Star-News"
Post a Comment