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Youth Politics 101: Raise Your Voice!
by Chris Hayhurst, 10.01.04
"The opportunity to engage people in dialogue knows no bounds in age." |
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The 2004 elections are scheduled for Tuesday, November 2. On that day, millions of citizens will cast their votes for the people they wish to represent them in government. Voters will come from all walks of life, and each will be unique in countless ways. They will, however, have at least one thing in common: age. As you probably know, you're not allowed to vote before you turn 18.
You might think this leaves thousands of smart, opinionated teens without a say in who runs their country. But that's not entirely true. According to government pros, America's youth can make a difference in politics. It's as easy as 1-2-3:
1. Speak Out
"Make your voice heard," says Jack Schnirman, campaign director with United Leaders, a nonprofit organization working to train the next generation — your generation — of political leaders. "Speak out."
No, you can't vote. But if you know where to go, you can voice your opinions. Take school, for example. You might not have a vote in your school board elections, but you can go to the next board meeting and ask for a minute to speak. You'd be surprised how impressed — and, occasionally, influenced — board members are by well-prepared, well-spoken students. "The opportunity to engage people in dialogue knows no bounds in age," notes Schnirman.
You can also speak out by writing letters to your local paper or calling your local radio station. Tell readers or listeners how people your age feel about the political candidates and politics in general. Voice those things you're happy with as well as your concerns, whether you're speaking for yourself, your class, your neighborhood, or your generation.
Finally, don't forget technology. Through electronic meeting places like discussion groups and chat rooms, anyone can be an online campaign activist. You can also use the Internet to contact your representatives in Congress and tell them what you think. Go to www.congress.org for the e-mail addresses and phone numbers of all your local, state, and national representatives.
2. Get Out the Vote
Nearly half the people who are old enough to vote fail to show up on Election Day. What better way to get involved in the political process than by encouraging people to vote?
A great way to get voters to the polls is through voter-registration drives. Local advocacy groups work hard every election season to make sure as many people as possible are registered to vote. Anyone can volunteer with these groups. To get started, do an Internet search for "voter registration," adding your town or county name to the search field. From there you should find all the contact information you need.
You can also take a more partisan stance in getting out the vote, and volunteer with a campaign you believe in. You might be surprised how eager campaign organizers are to add a young and energetic voice to their cause.
3. Go Political
"Harness your idealism," says Schnirman. "You're never too young to get involved." In other words, if you believe in a better world, you might as well be the one to change it. Join the student council. Run for class president. Start a student-run political advocacy group. This way you'll discover what it's really like in politics, even if it's only at your school level.
You can also join organizations like the Junior State of America. This nonpartisan group brings together students from across the country and encourages them to dive into the political process. Take it from Jessica Brow, program director of JSA's Pacific Northwest branch: "You may not be able to vote," she says. "But you can learn about the issues, and you can make a difference." |
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