*Updated as 10/31/24

For seniors, this year comes with new levels of responsibility: college applications, scholarships and planning their adult lives. For some lucky seniors, a new layer is thrown on to these responsibilities in the form of voting. 

Senior Evangeline Johnson is currently not registered to vote, but she is working towards finding the resources to register online before the election is held. 

Getting registered to vote can be confusing, but it can be done online. Americans can actually register as young as 16, but you will not receive a ballot until an election occurs when you’re 18. Online registration can be found at oregon.gov.

“It’s much easier with online registration, but I still struggle with the interface and pulling together all the necessary information,” she said.

The last day to register to vote is 21 days before the election takes place, so this year, that’s October 15.

Another important reason to vote is the senate is currently a 50/50 split of Democrats and Republicans, and if either party gains one more seat, that will lead to one party having more control. 

A common theme seen by Government teachers is recognizing their students don’t think much will change in the United States no matter who is elected. 

However, Johnson does feel as if her vote matters, even if she sees the possibility of the candidate she wants to win not being elected. She reiterated the sentiment held by her teachers to vote. 

“I don’t want my rights to be in jeopardy just because too many people were burnt out on politics. The current state of things is rough, but that doesn’t ever mean we should let go of any of the means we have to make it better,” Johnson said. 

Government teacher Michael Corenthal agrees about the importance . 

He believes the youth vote is extremely important and implores students to vote. 

“Whatever happens with the election, it will affect everyone, especially young people. And that to me is why it’s important to vote,” Corenthal said.

He added that students feel like their voice hasn’t been heard in politics. 

 I think [it] has affected their views on voting,” Corenthal said. 

If students feel ready, Corenthal hopes they will register. He believes if students feel prepared, they should be able to vote even if they are younger than 18.  “Personally I think it’s arbitrary, I think it’s a social construction. Your voices matter, there’s no reason students should not vote,” he said. “Young people are impacted by political decisions. If you want to vote when you’re young, why not encourage that?” 

The voting age will not be lowered in the foreseeable future so for now he urges students to get registered to vote as soon as possible.

Government teacher Kevin Heeney says he believes around 20 percent of his students are registered to vote.

“The reality is that voting is the only way we’re gonna get our voices out there,”  Heeney said. “If we see instant change or not, that’s not the issue. But by taking that step, that initiative to get out there and go vote. The point is this is your future, this is your life. This is our civic duty as citizens to get out there and have a say. That’s what a democracy is, right?”

Heeney also discussed concerns around the future of young people being decided by old politicians. 

“Ultimately this is our student’s future,” Heeney said. “We have older politicians in government, and for me it’s sad personally that they are making decisions for the youth of this nation.” 

Notable politician’s President Joe Biden is 81, Trump is 78 and senator Chuck Grassley is 91. 

Heeney says that the direction of the country is ultimately representative of what the populus wants. 

“Now, it’s not a perfect system, I’ll admit that. But it’s the best system we have right now,” Heeney said.  “If we don’t get out and vote because we are frustrated about the direction of the country, we are really doing a disservice.”

As Heeney stressed in America, every vote has played a role in reflecting the will of the people. Because of this teachers will continue to encourage students to vote or register to vote throughout government class and the year.