Northern students explain why voting is important
Every year, many students around the United States turn 18 and cast their first ballot on Election Day, fulfilling the right that American citizens have in a democratic society. Voting is a fundamental process that keeps our system of government working. To know and understand how our government works high school students are obligated to take classes such as A.P US History and American civics and economics in which they can study American government and will understand its importance and practicality in their everyday lives.
“Our goal is to help educate students on voting and even [teaching them about] the candidates themselves,” social studies teacher Julia Leopold said.
In the past few decades there has been a new emphasis on educating our middle school and high school students the value of American government and politics. Some students may feel taking part of American government is a undisputed must as other may feel their casted ballot is too little to make an impact.
“It is very important to learn about American government in schools because it is valuable information that everyone deserves to know,” junior Maya Dunbar said.
In many states, 16-year-olds can drive, get a job, and must pay taxes on their wages, but what is one thing most of them are not allowed to do? Vote. There is evidence that people who do not vote the first time they are eligible less likely to cast ballots regularly in the future.
“If I were to change something about voting I would make the voting age 16,” senior Courtney Carroll said. “[Being] 16 comes with a lot of responsibilities and would make high schoolers feel as if they have a say and would make them feel more patriotic.”
Public schools make up a large percentage of polling places in the United States. Schools tend to be located throughout the community, and they have large areas to host a polling place such as gyms and cafeterias.
“It is important [to have a voting poll at Northern] so that people who live close to Northern and possibly go to school here have a chance to vote,” senior Brynne Clayton said.
Voting is something Americans take for granted, and it is in the hands of the youth community to bring awareness to the privilege we have and to exercise our right.