Election Day is nearly three weeks away, which means the political frenzy has reached a climax.

It is the time when candidates’ supporters urge Americans to get out and vote, while others sigh, roll their eyes and say something along the lines of “I can’t wait until the election is over.”

While understandable to a degree, this statement is also a major indicator of issues within our democracy.

Two years ago, for instance, 55 percent of millennials voted for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump; today, two out of three young people are dissatisfied with the president.

But only 28 percent of adults between the ages of 18 and 29 are expected to vote on Nov. 6, according to a recent poll from the Public Religion Research Institute.

The same thing happened in 2014 — 23 percent of young adults voted in the midterm election that resulted in Democrats losing control of the Senate.

Why is this? Many young people do not believe voting makes a difference, or they do not know how to register. Others may not find certain elections, including the midterms, to be very important.

The midterms are arguably more important than presidential elections, however. As is the case at universities, presidents are the face of institutions but do not make the majority of the behind-the-scenes decisions.

That job falls to Congress. Much of what the president wants to do must go through the Senate and House of Representatives, and laws must begin in the legislative branch.

And as much as voters may dislike the president, at least he has term limits — Congress does not. Unless they are voted out, incumbent legislators will keep their jobs for as long as they want.

It is easier at times to blame everything on the president, but his fellow party members in Congress also bear responsibility.

For instance, it was Congress’s actions that got Brett Kavanaugh confirmed. It is also Congress that holds the power to take away the rights we hold sacred.

Having a passion for activism can go a long way with boosting the country’s morale. It will not, however, make a difference at the government level if we do not vote.

Voting is not something we should only be doing when we are desperate for change. It is a constant democratic effort to protect American ideals.

If we do not vote, we too bear responsibility for the nation’s downward spiral.

Share