Madison Contreras and Chelsea Strutton

Writers

With the 2020 presidential election having taken place Nov. 3, Marlow High School ensured that students were promoted to use their voice and cast their vote.

Those registered to vote in Oklahoma were able to vote via mail and in-person, as well as being given the opportunity to vote early and in-person on Thursday, Oct. 29 and Friday, Oct. 30.

Despite small turnouts of young voters in past years, such as in the 2016 election when just 51% of eligible voters under 40 had registered and participated, the highly diverse Millennial and Generation X, along with their younger counterparts, are expected to change history at this year’s election.

Having 136.5 million people who voted in the 2016 election, more than two-thirds that, or 65 percent of eligible voters, have already registered and cast their vote for the 2020 presidential election, breaking all historic voting records in the early elections despite numbers not being official due to COVID-19.

Populating more than 50.7% of those counted for in the United States, the younger generations, made up of activists and minorities, anticipate having a stronger say in government decisions.

Many have experienced disruptions in education, evictions, losing a job, or worse.

While barriers to voting were removed, for example discrimination against race at the polls (1870), the denial for women to vote (1920) and discriminatory tests to deny voting rights (1965), the burden still lays on many of the minorities affected, and, as they continue to struggle through new hardships, they strive to take part in creating a better future.

Having assisted nine of her seniors in the process of registering to vote, history teacher Haleigh Elroy discussed the importance of eligible students casting their vote.

“I think it is important for the kids, especially this age, to stay informed because there are so many things on ballots other than the presidency,” explained Elroy. “Students being up to date and educated on state and local issues, as well as what shows up on our ballot other than just the presidential election, is important.”

Taking a particular interest in the future of not only her health but those around her, senior Tamara McConnell discussed the pressing issue for her of the presidential election and why it was highly regarded.

“I think voting is important because it gives you the chance to affect the future of the nation,” stated McConnell. “My major interests in the election are really how the future president is going to deal with the pandemic and if any procedures are going to be passed in the future regarding COVID-19.”

Having been born after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center as well as growing up with the first African American president and being exposed to activism through social media platforms, younger generations have noted what impact can be made through united communities.

Roughly 24 million members of Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, are able to cast their vote in the 2020 presidential election, and it is anticipated that they will continue to use their voice to take a stance in government both regarding local and nationwide issues.