The 2016 Presidential Election was one of the most historic and memorable in recent years, and it encompasses our national dialogue to this day. Yet even in that highly publicized election year, with two of the most polarizing candidates of all time, barely half of the voting age population cast a vote at all.
If only 54.7% of the electorate voted in such a historic election, how many people vote in the midterms? How about in local elections? How about for their own school board?
Local Races
Of course, presidential elections are given nonstop media coverage. Even Congressional elections overtake the news cycle. I’m sure many residents of NJ-11 know of Mikie Sherrill and her momentous campaign to flip our district, but the media grants little attention to local races, such as those for State Senate and State Assembly. Unfortunately, the people we elect to these positions often have very direct power over our lives. The lawmakers in Trenton make many critical decisions about healthcare and education that impact the people of New Jersey in a way that Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, or Nancy Pelosi simply can’t. These are the races we should focus on.
This past summer, I interned for Bhimani and Draeger for State Assembly along with about 30 other high school and college students. We called hundreds of people and knocked on thousands of doors in hopes of electing representatives we believed reflected the interests of Legislative District 25. Most of us couldn’t vote, so this was our way of helping out candidates without really going to the polls.
In the weeks leading up to the election, a lot of people noticed signs for the candidates all across the district. It was impossible to drive down 46 without seeing a Bucco and Bergen sign and a Bhimani and Draeger sign a few feet next to it. Despite these signs and advertisements mailed in to voters, turnout was low. After the election, one of Politico’s articles stated , “Congratulations, New Jerseyans of 2019: You’re not the most apathetic voters of all time. Just the second most.”
Why Should I Vote?
Bhimani and Draeger lost the race for our district. In the end, I didn’t really care about who won or who lost or how many hours I put in. I was just angry that so few people cared to cast a vote. When there are people across the world protesting against brutal dictatorships just to have a single fair election, how can we refuse to vote? For women and minorities, the right to vote wasn’t easy to obtain. Those who came before us fought hard to get the chance to even set foot in the voting booth. It would be a disservice to them to stay home on Election Day.
What Can I Do?
In my opinion, voter apathy has a clear solution. Here’s what you can do.
1. Register to Vote! In New Jersey, you can do this when you’re 17, and you can do it when you pass your driver’s test and get your license. If you did not register that way, fill out this form. Remind your parents to vote as well and update their info if needed. In the days before this election, I asked seniors who were already 18 if they were planning to vote, and many did not register. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
2. Know the candidates and the election! You don’t have to read their life story, but know their names, party affiliation, and general beliefs. Make sure you know what they’re running for. In odd numbered years, NJ has Assembly races, county Sheriff elections, and other local races for freeholder and alderman positions.
3. Know your polling location and hours! For Mountain Lakes, this is our very own high school. For Boonton Township, it’s the town hall. Poll hours vary. If you’re not voting in person, make sure you get your vote by mail ballot in on time. Vote by mail is great because you get it out of the way early, but voting in person is also cool because you get that “I Voted!” sticker.
4. Going to college out of state? Me too! You can vote in that state or in NJ, but NOT BOTH. Just make sure you’re registered to vote in that place. If you want to vote for NJ races, get an absentee ballot before moving in day and mail it in ASAP!
5. For 2020: The primaries for the 2020 Election are coming up. New Jersey will vote on Tuesday, June 2, 2020. We have closed primaries, so only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote. You are allowed to change your affiliation up to and including June 2nd! Remember: if you are 17, you can vote in the primary if you will be 18 by the time of the 2020 election!
Your Vote Matters
Generation Z has a reputation as a generation that will bring about immense social change. It’s true that we are idealistic, but too few of us take action to back up our ideas. You can post about gun control and illegal immigration on your instagram story, but your vote is what makes a difference in these issues. Voting is your civic duty, and your vote counts.
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