Current political affairs are dividing the United States — that much is nearly inarguable.
Those who support President Donald Trump and the GOP seem to be in a constant battle with those who do not, and vice versa.
Those who do not support the 45th president likely carry a long list of complaints and points to give as to why the president is a bad politician or why it is time for talks of impeachment. Those who fall in that group and are millennials must keep their list of gripes and complaints in mind as another cycle of elections quickly approaches.
Only 50 percent of millennials — people ages 18 to 35 — turned out to vote in the 2016 election, according to the Pew Research Center. The minimal turnout instantly silenced their democratic voices.
The U.S. Census states there were 83.1 million millennials in 2015. Given that information, roughly 41 million millennials neglected to cast a vote in the most important election in the country, 41 million voices not utilized in a crucial decision.
Maybe that is just 41 million votes for Trump. Regardless of political affiliation, in 2016 there were over 41 million voices unheard.
The right to vote and participate in the democratic process is one people fought hard for. In some countries, people might be fighting forever. It is a right those who came before fought for, yet it is a right many give up election after election.
Midterm elections are Nov. 6. In the next 33 days, voters in Idaho will prepare to vote for candidates vying for positions from district judges to governor.
While it can be easy for students to get wrapped up in the day-to-day of being a student, or simply overwhelmed by the political unrest flooding the news, it is important to be a part of the conversation, regardless of political stance.
For those who are not already registered to vote, there are plenty of options. Idaho residents can register to vote online. Students can go to uidaho.turbovote.org.
The current political climate has gotten so heated it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the thought of keeping up with the news, let alone diving into the political scene.
But that doesn’t mean it is not part of everyone’s civic duty, including students. It is not who you vote for that counts — it’s that you vote in the first place.
This November, don’t be part of the 41 million not using their voice.
— MS