This is one of the most turbulent and uncertain times of the year-election season. Millions of voters across the country rush to the polls in hopes of putting their chosen candidate in office, but how do OH students fit into the equation?
“I would say that the easiest way for students to get involved is to talk about their beliefs on issues with their friends and family,” said OH AP Government teacher and Rho Kappa sponsor Scott White. “Overall, just getting involved, voting, and paying attention to the news is extremely important.”
This year, Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, and it is essential that as many eligible voters register to vote before that date, both for democracy and for our future. Anyone who will be 18 years old by election day can register to vote, even if they are currently under 18.
“I would say that local and state government is just as important as the federal government because many of the laws and policies that directly impact people’s lives come from [them],” said White. “Also, buying a home, a car, having children, etc. are all things that governments have impacts on, so understanding what you want and how to express those views to your members of government is very important.”
There are many resources that students here at OH can use to register to vote, one of which is online registration.
“The easiest way to register to vote is online,” said Kendall County Democrats Representative Beth Kremer. “The last day to register online is October 20. You can do so by visiting ova.elections.il.gov.”
If students want to follow the traditional methods of voting, they can go to the Kendall County Office Building at 502 S Main St in Yorkville or to Oswego Village Hall at 100 Parkers Mill in Oswego, schools, and other government buildings. In-person registration extends longer than online, allowing up to same-day registrations to vote, which can be done at designated polling places as well.
“Voting is important because many teenagers may be going to college or trade school and might take out student loans to do so,” said White. “The government is the one that is in charge of many of these loan policies, so it’s important that you know what your elected officials think about them.”
Prospective voters can get polling place information on the Polling Place Search website. They can also gain more insight into early voting and registration deadlines on this Kendall County voting schedule.
While the required age to vote is 18, those under 18 can still participate in government and become involved in their community. Some examples of these groups include school clubs, youth branches of political organizations, and even participation in civics classes.
“I think there should be a place for students with conservative leanings to gather and converse,” said former Teenage Republicans Club sponsor Lesli Barron. “If students were to approach me again wanting to start the club back up, I would consider sponsoring it.”
Teenagers and young voters are the most underrepresented groups in the polls. According to a Pew Research Center finding, they make up the largest percentage of non-voters, greatly swaying the results in every election. They only make up 11 percent of eligible voters and 30 percent of non-voters, an issue that impacts elections on every level of government and all Americans.
It is essential that students become involved in elections because they are going to be the most impacted by these decisions in the future. It is not enough to simply want change, people must actively work towards it, and voting is the first step.
For more information on how Oswego prepares for the election, check out staff reporter Maxwell Mathew’s newest article here.
My name is Sasha Pankuch and I am a junior here at OHS. This is my first year with 42Fifty too. I am very involved here at OHS; I am on the board of Student Council, I play the saxophone in the Panther Marching Band, and am a member of multiple honors societies!
