Millennial Voting: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Here’s the absolute truth: I’m not enthusiastic about voting.
There, I said it. I’m tired of politics and feel completely worn out by the amount of news that comes from Washington, the media, and social networking sites. Sadly, I’m part of the “Exhausted Majority” who feel disengaged, disillusioned, and uninterested in either presidential candidate, and I’d rather throw politics away. However, I realize there is still a great deal of work to be done.
The 2008 Presidential election was the last time I felt energized about voting. That election was life-altering for me in that it was the first election in which I was of age to vote, and because I knew my vote had the power to unlock new worlds of hope for myself and those within my community. It was the most significant contribution I felt I’d ever made to American history, and I was prideful about it.
Now, as an adult, barely out of my twenties, I’ve found myself questioning if it was naiveté that led me to believe my vote held so much power. Twelve years later, I wonder if anything is powerful enough to amend the damage that 2020 has ushered in because right now, America doesn’t feel great; it feels grim.
So What Now?
There have only ever been two options: vote or don’t, but before choosing the latter, I urge you to pay attention to all that’s at stake in both the presidential and local elections. I invite you to watch the debates and review the candidate profiles at https://www.vote411.org.
Like me, you may also be suffering from political fatigue, but if you genuinely believe your protest matters, then you must believe your vote does too. It takes a collective conscience to create any change, and millennials are now the largest generation in the modern era. We can reshape the political landscape and create the bold, brave, and beautiful America of which we were taught to sing.
However, it starts with your participation in the political process. That’s why creating a voting plan is crucial. Visit this link to get started! Until we millennials own our voting power by showing up to the polls in numbers vast enough to surpass older generations, we will continue to live in a world that looks nothing like the best of us.
The future belongs to the millennial, and our guarantee is at the voting booth. I hope to see you this November!
Meet Jordyn
Jordyn Louise serves as the content director Indy Black Millennials, an inclusive organization that creates space for millennials to collaborate, connect, and network. Jordyn also serves as the marketing and content specialist for Christel House Schools located in Indianapolis. When she’s not working, you can find her anywhere family is present and wine is served.
