When an election happens in the United States, the results have direct impacts on the futures of American citizens, including high school students.

   When people vote, they are electing representatives to represent them in the government and make policies that will benefit the future in the way they desire. 

   “If you don’t vote, you won’t have a say in how our country is won,” wrote AACT Now. “No vote, no voice.”

   Most high school students are unable to vote, so they have to rely on their eighteen-year-old peers and other adults to vote for the policies and politicians they want. 

   “We can’t vote ourselves yet, so we have to hope others will vote for us,” said junior Robert Nash. 

   The policies and politicians voted into the government can have direct impacts on the futures of high school students, such as California Proposition 1: the state constitution amendment that prevents the state from interfering or denying people the right to an abortion. While abortion is already protected under state law, the state constitution now explicitly protects the rights to reproductive care. 

   It is important to encourage all those eligible to vote to exercise their right to vote, as their voice and choices can change the futures of high school students. Furthermore, it is important to encourage students to register to vote as soon as they can, and vote when they turn eighteen, so that they can have a voice in who is in the government. 

   “Many people in countries around the world do not have the same freedom, nor did many Americans in centuries past,” said National Geographic in an article. “No matter what you believe or whom you support, it is important to exercise your rights.”