As November nears, political fervor is reaching its peak, and wherever you go, politics is present. A testimony to this fact is the 67 million people who tuned into ABC News to watch Trump and Harris’ face off.
Although some people may find all the yard signs and political ads annoying, I think it serves as an important reminder that politics isn’t something that just goes away, whether they like it or not. In our republican form of government, politicians are responsible for representing their constituents. Some may believe politics don’t affect them, but it constantly affects everyone.
This month I attended a political fundraiser where I had the pleasure of meeting Mary Gay Scanlon, Representative for Pennsylvania’s 5th district, along with state Representative, Tim Briggs, and state Senator, Amanda Cappelletti. I talked to each of them about the importance of younger generations being politically active and what role we can play in the upcoming elections.
Tim Briggs spoke about how, starting at around 15, he would canvass-reach out to voters about candidates-for local politicians. He also mentioned that simply writing postcards asking people to vote for a candidate is great ways to stay involved as well. Just last month, I wrote postcards to undecided voters encouraging them to vote, and have seen how it can increase political participation throughout your community.
When talking to Senator Cappelletti, she emphasized how today, “the way high school kids are engaged in politics is so different.” She continued to explain how with the internet increasing political polarization, it is important for highschool students to be informed about issues that will undoubtedly affect them. Cappelletti then told me she entered politics when at the end of the 2016 election, she felt that she could have done so much more. She felt like she needed, as Michelle Obama says, “to do something.”
Representative Mary Gay Scanlon shared similar sentiments, stating how she first entered politics as “anger management”, after realizing that she could be more productive by making change instead of just being frustrated. I relate to this feeling immensely as I often find myself disappointed when I think of all the problems our country faces every day.
As highschool students, you’re beginning to learn more about the world around you, exploring new areas of study, and discovering what you value. Even though most of us can’t vote yet, it is still extremely important to be actively involved in local issues. There is so much people can do: from volunteering to work at the polls on election day, to making signs and writing postcards, to canvassing for candidates. Even simple tasks like speaking up and connecting with your neighbors and friends can help spread discourse and increase voter turnout. Anything you do to spread factual information about how the voting system works, about candidates or policies can help facilitate change.
This American experiment doesn’t work without the participation of the people, even the ones who cannot vote. Our country has been changed so much for the better by demographics who didn’t originally have the right to vote. From African Americans to women, the U.S. has come a long way on the road to equality, and that is because people tried.
Although America is far from perfect, our country gives the people the ability to have the power to make a difference. You, as an American, have the power to create change. So next time you find yourself rolling your eyes or grumbling about a news headline, change your mindset, get up and do something.
