As fall slowly approaches, election day looms in the background, set to take place on November 5th, 2024.
Although it is crucial for people to vote in every election, whether it be a local, state, or national, this election is different considering candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will be facing each other in one of the closest presidential races in history, based on current polling.
For this exact reason, it is more important than ever for people to vote, especially those voting for the first time. This presidential election represents the first time that such a large number of Gen-Zers will be eligible to vote.
Nearly 40 million Gen-Zers will have the ability to vote, which has the potential to significantly affect the results of the election. Student and youth voices will matter more than ever, which is why it is imperative that those eligible voters head to the polls and vote.
As seen in the last decade, not only do presidents create legislation and have the right to veto bills that have passed both the House and Senate, but they also have a larger sway, especially when considering the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court justices are appointed by presidents, with President Joe Biden appointing one and Donald Trump appointing three. These Supreme Court Justices went on to define landmark cases like the overturning of Roe V. Wade and their decision with the Loan Debt Relief Plan in Biden V. Nebraska.
Not only will the presidency be decided in November, but several Senate seats and all House seats are open for election. Four Cape Coral Council seats are also open in addition to a school board seat.
Although these positions may seem less important than national elections, they have just as much impact, if not more on those individuals living in Cape Coral. School board members also make decisions that impact all the schools in Lee County, crucial to student education.
It is not just enough to vote, voters should be appropriately informed before making their decisions. Whether it be visiting a candidate’s website, exploring unbiased news sources, attending debates, or questioning, an informed decision is important.
Voting is a civic duty and not using your vote, is not using your voice. Regardless of whether or not a person lives in a red or blue state every vote does matter and is a demonstration of which candidate a district supports. Depending on which candidate someone ends up voting for, they can also use their vote to ensure that the topics important to them end up taking center stage.
For those who can’t vote but want their voice heard within the community, there are several options available. At a local level, students can speak during public comment at Cape Coral Council meetings or Cape Coral Youth Council meetings to give their input on what matters to them.
Contacting Senate and House representatives at the State level to discuss current legislation or even suggest a piece of their own. There are also a multitude of advocacy organizations that work across the United States or even internationally on specific issues.
Ultimately, voting is the most important part of the democratic process and it’s integral that new, young voters show up to the polls on November 5th.
