Your voice matters. Your vote may matter even more.
As students at UNC, many of us spend quite a lot of time discussing the power and impact of the student voice in political processes. We pour energy into student body president elections, we participate in protests and we may even choose our field of study based on a hope to create positive change socially or politically.
This week, though, many of us will have the opportunity to step outside our normal channels of influence — writing, persuading, thinking — and into a realm of action.
Since Thursday, March 3, voters have poured into early voting stations across Orange County. In doing so, they translated their preferences into action to choose who represents them in our federal and state governments. During this early voting period — through March 12 — Orange County residents can even register on-site, right before they cast their ballots.
But beyond it being a “civic duty,” it is power. In this election especially, youth turnout has been shown to be utterly crucial. Here in North Carolina, the stakes are even higher.
According to a recent study by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, North Carolina is one of 10 states nationwide where the youth vote has the potential to have a decisive impact in the 2016 elections.
Students spend a lot of time and energy articulating their voices and being heard on campus and beyond. What’s the best way to leverage this voice? Go vote!
It’s not loud, it’s not public and it’s certainly not new. But it’s one of the most powerful tools we have.
