Just like any other election season, 2016 is a year full of political news, scandals and hot topics. From Donald Trump’s controversial rhetoric to an alleged fornication scandal from a Louisiana senate candidate, many of us probably wish this news cycle would soon be over.
Though it can be difficult, instead of distancing ourselves from politics, it’s our responsibility to take part of the electoral process to make a difference.
Americans over 18 are eligible to vote, but millennials tend to have the lowest voter turnout — a dismal 40 percent. One of the main reasons they do not vote is because the registration process seems to be complicated.
While this may be true for many states, Louisiana has a relatively simple voter registration process.
Eligible citizens can register by filling out an online application from the Louisiana Secretary of State website. It used to be required by law that any naturalized citizen registering to vote bring proof of citizenship to their respective registrar of voters, but the law was repealed by the legislature earlier this year. Now, the process is less cumbersome than ever before.
Some people believe their votes do not count, but in many smaller elections, such as those for metro council and state representative, every vote counts. For example, in Minnesota’s 2008 statewide U.S. Senate Constitution, former comedian Al Franken won by 312 votes. Minnesota is a rather large state, and this is a very small margin. Usually, people with religious involvement tend to be more politically engaged, and Franken could have lost the election if several religious communities decided to vote against him. Therefore, you and your community can alter the result of elections.
One great thing about our government is its capacity for self-improvement. Even though Congress seems to be ineffective at times, our society as a whole is making progress, from technological advances to civil rights movements. However, it’s important to remember how much your elected officials can affect your quality of life.
Former Gov. Bobby Jindal created a budget shortfall of $1 billion dollars last year despite inheriting an $800 million dollar surplus from his predecessor Gov. Kathleen Blanco. Use this year’s senate race as an example. Would you like someone who constantly uses soundbites in his TV ads, or a moderate who promises to raise the minimum wage and fight for pay equality?
The founding fathers guaranteed us the right to vote. It is a privilege that many people in the world do not have, and it is our duty as Americans to take full advantage and make our voices heard. Election day is Nov. 8, and for those of you who have already registered, you can check your polling place and status at GeauxVote.com.
Kevin Yau is a 20-year-old sociology senior from New Orleans, Louisiana.