by Olivia Polding
We all form opinions and make decisions as part of our daily routine. This morning, for example, I woke up and I evaluated the time it would take to wash my hair and dry it. I researched my scalp and realized that my hair didn’t look too greasy and was probably socially acceptable to look a slight mess. Then I voted in favor of being Lazy and allowed myself an extra 20 minutes in bed. Voting in this year’s mid-terms can be just as simple.
You decide to vote
You register to vote https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/pages/VoterRegistrationApplication.aspx
You research who is running to represent you.
I know that the list can feel intimidating. For Real who are all those people? But it can take a lunch break or a car-ride to click through and read their not so humble autobiographies. P.S don’t just see their big bright smiles and think “Okay I’ll vote for them”. Make sure you understand what they advocate for and what they can do for you and those you love.
You Vote
Once you’ve evaluated which candidate you agree with most and then you #Tickthebox
Okay, I admit, registering to vote isn’t the same as washing your hair but they are both habitual. PAYouthVote.org is dedicated to making the registration process more accessible to Philadelphia’s youth. Their aim, which should be everyone’s: get eligible students the opportunity to vote while in school and to educate our Youth in the historic importance of voting in America. There’s a bill in front of Philly’s School Board right now, that requires every high school in the state to offer year-round registration of eligible students.
Here is the down-low
8000 of students each year become eligible to vote in Philadelphia each year
However only 15% of students in Philly are registered to vote
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that these numbers don’t look right. Our Youth are missing out on the opportunity to voice their opinions and trust me it only takes one look on TikTok or Twitter to see that we have plenty. Once you leave High-school and you’re forced to be an adult in the big wide world, and take care of yourself (YUCK), it is easy to forget to do the important things like register to vote. If PAYouthVote.org gets their policy passed, eligible first-time voters will be able to register to vote whilst in school and never have to worry about it again. Ideal if you ask me. Ideal if you ask me. Two years into a Global Pandemic (Happy Birthday Covid!)It's nice to have some fresh inspiration.
Find out more at: https://www.payouthvote.org/mission-and-values
Olivia Polding is an English Literature student from King’s College London and is on educational exchange at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a Project Leader for AmaSing, an Arts Organisation that works closely with Children across England and Wales
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