Ashley Davis
Opinion Editor
Many of us at Heritage are eighteen or about to turn eighteen. Conveniently for these people, the elections are coming up. Any U.S. citizen eighteen years or older can vote for local representatives and the president of the United States. For standard registration deadlines, applications or updates must be postmarked or submitted no later than the Monday four weeks before Election Day. Election Day is on November 6, 2012.
Though we are given the opportunity to choose who we want to see in office, many of our youth choose not to vote. The importance of voting, however, is tremendous. Every person eighteen years or older should register to vote and let their voice be heard.
It is up to the people of our generation to make decisions that will better the future of all citizens. By choosing to disregard our opportunities to vote, we are essentially disregarding our freedom. Exercising our rights is what allows us to keep our rights. Voting is one of the most important and direct ways we can affect the government, and express our opinions. It’s an extension of our beloved Freedom of speech.
Ms. Haberl, the CWI and AP Government teacher says, “It’s important for everyone to be civically engaged. Voting forces us to look at what’s happening and what’s going on in the world. You need to learn about the government if you’re going to be in it and take some control; if you don’t vote you have no right to complain. We need to be educated in order to have a better government and move towards a more perfect union.”
If you want to continue to live in a world full of opportunities and freedoms, it is important to actively participate and educate yourself in what is going on in the government offices. Exercise your right to vote, and make the change you wish to see happen in our government.
To register to vote in Washington, or to learn more about it, visit:
wei.secstate.wa.gov/olvrsite
For more information on registration and voting deadlines visit:
http://www.sos.ga.gov/elections/election_dates.htm