As we all (hopefully) know, the 2024 presidential election is coming up in just a few short days. Many high school students are still under 18 so they are unable to vote, but there are still many things they can do. If you’re wanting to have a voice in politics but don’t know how, this is for you.
Most importantly you’re going to want to be educated on the candidates and their views on political issues. The candidates in the 2024 presidential election are; Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz for the democratic party, Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance for the republican party, Jill Stein and her running mate Butch Ware for the green party, and Chase Oliver and his running mate Mike ter Maat for the libertarian party. You want to give your support to the candidate whose views align most with yours, and there is no perfect candidate, so you have to understand where your values lie in politics, and which political issues are most important.
Social media is also a major factor in the current election. The candidates themselves are using social media to persuade voters, as are citizens to voice their opinions. Many celebrities use their platforms to endorse the candidates as well. Celebrities like Jason Aldean, Caitlyn Jenner, and Billy Ray Cyrus have endorsed former president Trump. Beyonce, Taylor Swift, and Cardi B have endorsed vice president Harris. As social media is big among teens, they can use their platforms to spread their opinions and also stay updated on current events in the election.
Talk to your family and friends! Political socialization is how people form their opinions in politics and a big part of that is based on their family and friends opinions. So even though as a minor you can’t vote, you can still voice your opinions to the people you surround yourself with. It is okay to disagree with their views, and it’s helpful to acknowledge their side of things while also explaining your side. Also conveying why you feel the way you do is very important rather than just stating what you believe is “right.”
If you want to go the extra mile, you can fundraise for a campaign that you support. Fundraising is something that you can do all year round to participate in politics. You can fundraise for organizations that are local in your community or those that are state or country wide. The Movement Voter Project is a campaign that supports local grassroots organizations and turns out hard-to-reach voters. If you’re unable to fundraise, don’t feel like it is an obligation to be a participant in politics, any of the other things listed above are just as important.
Always keep in mind that your voice matters, but so does the voice of everyone else. Be respectful, be mindful, and be strong in your stance. You will not have the same opinions as everyone else, and there is nothing wrong with that. Remember to form a stance on local elections too and stay active in politics all year round, not just leading up to the election. Have a voice in your future rather than sitting back and letting it happen.