OPINION — When I think of voting, the first thing that comes to mind is … people died for this. Although decades have passed and history becomes just a distant memory of something you learned in school, the fact is people did die for the right to vote and most millennials could care less.
The right to vote has taken a back seat to the internet. We no longer need to vote to express ourselves. Millennials need to come together and realize that although there are many outlets of expression, voting is efficient and evokes the most change.
Many millennials feel their voices or opinion can be heard immediately via social media or the internet. The instant gratification is quite addicting. The internet provides a comfort that voting does not. The feeling of knowing for a fact that someone out there heard you. You are suddenly visible in a massive world. You mean something, you matter because someone liked your post.
Many Millennials do not care to vote for the same reason they don’t want to mail a letter, it’s old school and it’s viewed as a burden. No one wants to take the time to stop what they are doing to pre-read the ballot, do the research, go down to a designated location and possibly wait for a few hours to vote.
Another reason is taking ownership of accountability. I believe the younger millennials are living in reality TV, not reality. The idea is if I act like it doesn’t matter, then it doesn’t. If I don’t like either candidate I don’t have to vote. Truth is, whether you vote or not, someone will be picked. You can decide your fate or you can deal with the consequences and not complain.
Since it has been made clear that the younger generation has started to lose faith in our political system, someone must reel them back in. If this does not change very soon, the following generation will become so distant and unattached that there may not be any hope for them. What could happen is Scary. If no one carries out their right to vote, will voting become nonexistent? Will it destroy the democracy we have struggled so hard to protect?
I have been watching these politicians make a fool out of themselves. They are trying to gain the support of the young voter, but it seems to be only making things worse. The millennials are not impressed and as high as the stakes are right now someone better make a move quick.
Is all lost? I sure hope not. It is very possible to get the millennials back on track. It starts with acknowledging them and meeting them half way. I don’t know how much easier voting can be, but making voting a priority again needs to be on the top of the list. Otherwise, we are a dying culture and failed system.
I would like to feel excited to vote again, right now it feels like a chore. I suppose I am one millennial speaking about another. The difference is I Voted. Although I too wonder if my voice is truly being heard, I can’t stop thinking about the people who died so I could vote. Politicians address us accordingly!
Submitted by, Tyree Mills of Cedar City
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i’m not that much older than a “millenial” or whatever but when i interact with that age group i’m always amazed at how dumb and distracted that the iphone culture and social media culture has made people. it’ll be interesting to see where it goes over the next decade or so. anyways, without bernie sanders who why would they bother to vote? lol
and to be fair its not all “millenials”
how does that twitter thingamajoby work, is it a iphone? or is it a computicator?
That’s interesting Bob… I pictured you as a grumpy, seventy-something with nothing better to do with his time but harass and belittle everyone for their race, sex and religion.
Yeah imagine a hateful racist bigot like Bob using the word fair. I’m surprised he even knows how 2 spell it let alone use it
bless your little heart
I agree with your comment 100% ..bless your little heart ! you said it
Hey Dumbob. Governor Herbert sends his regards ! Ha ha ha ha ha ha
I thought oxybob was an old man too lol
its cuz of the vast knowledge and wisdom isn’t it? lol
No he’s just a racist bigot
Hey Dumbob. ..can you say GOVENOR HERBERT reelected ! Ha ha ha ha ha wooooooohoooooooooo
I like your observations in your opinion piece. However, it is not just the younger generation that has lost faith in voting… Whose fault is it exactly that today’s youth is ignorant of their rights and roles in America? May I suggest to you their parents and the current education system? Americans in general have forgotten that the power lays within them. By not voting they are literally giving away their rights and power. Our government was designed by the people for the people and the people have forgotten.
Amen. In Iraq, voters were willing to have their finger dipped in purple ink (signifying that they’d voted), despite threats by al Qaeda to ampute them. In the U.S., we complain about the process of voting taking as much time and the effort as getting takeout pizza.
And that is by design…
Voting and ordering pizza go hand in hand. you never get what you wanted
LOL – good one, Dumpster!
what Dump wants is pills, not pizza. lol