As young people, we gain a myriad of responsibilities when we turn eighteen. You can change your name, serve on a jury, enlist in the military, and most importantly: vote in local, state, and federal elections. A record-breaking 15.1 million young people are predicted to reach 18 in the time before the 2024 federal election cycle. If Gen Z and young people want to influence the future of our political system, it is absolutely imperative we take the chance to elect lawmakers on the right side of history. 

According to Washington Post polling, an overwhelming majority of voters are disappointed to see a rematch between President Biden and former President Trump. Justifiably so. The 2020 presidential election was defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, racial justice protests in response to the murder of George Floyd, the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett, and a lack of societal respect in the United States. While more one-sided, the willingness of many politicians to lie, give up on campaign promises, and ignore democratic practices (such as a peaceful transition of power) in the United States has led to many voters feeling disillusioned by the political process. 

While it is disheartening to see progressive changes in the United States move slowly; one step in the right direction is better than no step at all. During the two and a half years of his presidency, President Biden has accomplished many progressive priorities, even in the face of a narrow Senate majority and conservative Supreme Court. President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 to reduce the government deficit, invest in clean domestic energy, and regulate prescription drug prices. In addition, he led negotiations for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the largest gun safety legislation in over thirty years; he signed the Respect for Marriage Act to defend same-sex and interracial couples across the nation, and negotiated the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill to improve transportation, implement nationwide broadband access, and ensure all Americans have access to safe drinking water. All of these landmark laws were signed while simultaneously appointing more judges as a first-term President than any president since JFK, rebuilding the reputation of the United States on the world stage as a defender of democracy, and standing as an unequivocal ally of Ukraine. Both President Biden and Vice President Harris have worked diligently to improve the United States, even in the most adverse circumstances. 

Likewise, President Biden has appointed a multitude of qualified cabinet secretaries dedicated to moving America forward while reversing the damage inflicted during the Trump Administration. While the Biden Administration has focused on moving this country forward, politicians on the other side of the aisle have focused on erasing history, demonizing members of the LGBTQ+ community, limiting access to reproductive rights, attacking child labor laws, and villifying immigrants fleeing danger. In this upcoming election cycle, the answer is clear. 

Before I state a direct endorsement of the Democratic Party, we must set some clear expectations. No matter who is in office, regardless of party, they must be held accountable by voters. If the Biden Administration, Members of Congress, or your elected officials implement a decision you disagree with, it is imperative you contact your lawmakers, write a letter to the editor, or take other measures to influence the public policy process. Our responsibility as Americans is to work diligently and relentlessly to move the nation forward. 

At this point in time, members of the Republican Party (with some exceptions) should not be trusted to hold public office in the United States. The focus on ignoring minority communities, demeaning queer people, and disrespecting American traditions of democracy are simply unacceptable. We must elect these politicians out of office in order to uphold our constitutional values: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sex, or any other defining characteristic. We cannot afford to sit out this, or any, election cycle. Sitting out will only prolong the long journey toward true American exceptionalism. 

While we cannot afford to sit out in this election, we also cannot afford to vote third party. While neither the Democratic and Republican Party are perfect, voting within the existing political system is the only way to effectuate change. A memorable example is from recent history. In the 2020 election, the Biden-Harris ticket won by a margin of seven million votes over the Trump-Pence candidacy. If the states of Wisconsin, Georgia, and Arizona flipped, President Trump would have been elected to a second term. The margins of victory for all of these states combined was a whopping… 42,918 votes. Because the United States decides presidential elections on the Electoral College system, even a small number of voters could have decided to vote third party or not vote at all, affecting the course of American history in the process. We have seen numerous examples in the past: Ralph Nader in the 2000 presidential election, Jill Stein in the 2016 presidential election; voting third party enables Republicans to splinter Democratic votes and gain victory. 

Whether President Biden is the perfect president is not the right question. The question is, “Who do we trust to uphold American democracy and ensure all Americans have access to our fundamental values.” Politicians are not supposed to be perfect; nor should we idealize them. Their job is to represent the values of Americans and ensure that this country moves forward, not back. It is entirely possible to disagree with a candidate on certain issues but still agree that they are the only choice to move the nation forward. As President Biden often says, “don’t compare me to the almighty, compare me to the alternative.” This should be the mindset in all elections in order to ensure we have leaders dedicated to the general welfare of our nation. 

My message to young people: Your voice and vote is power. Use it. Do not allow older generations to stifle your opinion and liberty. We must band together as a coalition to ensure we all have equal protection under our laws. We must be rational, pragmatic, and direct in our pursuit for a better nation.