Our future democracy lays in the hands of our young generation, we hold a unique power. Yet, despite this potential, many in the age group of 18-22 age block face barriers that prevent them from exercising their right to vote. Ranging from the fears of misconceptions about their impact, and making mistakes during the process at the polls or by mail, these obstacles can serve as overwhelming. Together, by the resources and information on my website, we can conquer these challenges and empower ourselves to take a stand to ensure that our voices are counted.
Common voting barriers for young adults…
Not understanding the fundamentals of voting would be the first and most likely the most frequent obstacle for this young age group. Many young adults, particularly those who are voting for the first time, are unclear of the procedures and how to register.
The second barrier is the lack of knowledge on each candidate involved in the race. Young voters may feel overwhelmed or pressured by the amount of information, or unsure of which candidate to vote for, which can lead to the wrong decision being made or not voting entirely.
The third barrier would be the fear of making a mistake on the ballot when voting at the polls. Young adults, especially first-time voters or college students may be anxious about creating errors on their ballots, like mis-marking or incorrectly following instructions.
Another barrier for this age block includes College students voting away from their hometown. Being away from home for college creates confusion about where and how to vote, whether to vote in their home state or where they attend school. It is also confusing at points for mailing in absentee ballots.
Another barrier includes logistical challenges specifically time and transportation. Long waiting times at polling stations of lack of transportation discourages young adults from voting.
How to overcome these challenges…
For tackling the first challenge for young adults of not understanding the logistics of voting, they can research specific voting requirements early on before voting. They can also use trusted websites such as my own to find registration deadlines, and how to request absentee ballots. They can also research where their local polling places are.
For the second barrier of lack of knowledge for each candidate presented in the political race, these young adults can break down the research of each candidate in manageable steps. They should focus on issues that matter most to them, such as healthcare, education, climate change, etc. They can visit non-partisan websites that provide each candidates stance, and educate themselves by watching political debates and the news. It is crucial for young adults voting to understand which party and candidate they stand with.
A way to overcome the challenge of young adults enabling mistakes on their ballots would include reading the ballot carefully to follow the instructions provided step by step. If voting by mail, or using an absentee ballot, they should ensure that their ballot is properly filled out before sealing and mailing it. Some states allow you to review your ballot online or even correct mistakes, so find out if your state includes these availabilities.
To conquer the fear of voting away from their home town, college students and young adults can request absentee ballots or decide to register in their college ton, depending on the laws of both states. They can ensure that they understand deadlines for absentee ballot requests and submission , and use their university’s resources to help navigate the process.
For the final barrier of logistical challenges for these young adults and first time voters, they can make sure that they plan ahead of what they will do when voting. They can vote prior to the election, or request and absentee ballot if available in their state. If they vote in person, they should find out busy and quiet hours at their polling locations. They should coordinate with friends for carpooling or check if their are public services for them to access the polls.
Future Voters! 
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