As a child, I remember my parents emphasizing the importance of voting. When they received their voter’s pamphlets in the mail every year before elections, we would flip through the seemingly-endless lists of candidates, their qualifications and other things that most young children couldn’t care less about. When I look back on this memory as an eligible voter, I am grateful for what I have learned so I can now fulfill my civic duty. However, I have heard several stories of negative voting trends, from the misconception that one vote won’t affect the outcome of an election to Gen Z having the lowest historical voter turnout (with 2020 being an exception). 

In the 2020 presidential election, Gen Z broke its streak as the age group with the smallest percentage of overall voter turnout. According to Time Magazine, our age group made up 31 percent of votes nationwide, compared to 23 percent in 2016. This encouraging statistic proves that our generation is beginning to not only advocate for causes we are passionate about, but also take the time to express these passions at the polls. Voting is an opportunity to give input about who should lead our local and national communities, and it allows people to express their political opinions by selecting a candidate that aligns with their values.

While there are already tools for voting education in place, there is still room for improvement. For instance, while our senior government classes do address the importance of voting, they mostly focus on how our system of government works and our rights as citizens. While these are important topics, the curriculum could be modified to expand on voting. This could include how to register to vote, important qualities to consider when choosing a candidate and resources to learn more about the candidates. At the end of the unit, students could do a mock election in which they are given fictional candidates and cast a ballot. Doing so would allow us to become more informed voters and help encourage Gen Z participation. 

With this in mind, I urge all eligible students to vote in the upcoming Oregon primary election. If you have not already registered, you can visit the Oregon voting website and select “Register to Vote”. People who are 16 years old can register to vote; however, they will not receive a ballot until an election occurs after they turn 18. If you are 18 and would like to check your voter registration status, visit the above website and select “My Vote.” Those who are 18 will soon receive a voter’s pamphlet in the mail. With the governor’s race this year, it is crucial that eligible voters cast their ballots so we as Gen Z can continue making a difference in our communities, one vote at a time.