Getting involved under the voting age

How to get your voice heard when you are under voting age!

The tragedy in Parkland, Florida has not only sparked gun-centred activism but has also started a conversation surrounding teenage voices being heard when it comes to important political issues. In America, and many other countries, 18 is the legal voting age. If you are over 18 or the voting age in your country, voting is the easiest and quickest way to get your voice out. Many teens aren’t yet at voting age and, consequently, are left feeling like their voices are being ignored. So, how should you make them listen when you aren’t legally old enough to vote?

P.s. this article may be a little American-centric I am from America and am unfamiliar with political spheres outside of the US 

• Go to town hall meetings. 

Look up when the next town hall meeting or listening session is with your representative. These meetings are the perfect time for you to present the issues that affect you. They can also be a great place to meet other people advocating for the same topics. Forming these relationships can be invaluable to building a strong force against policy you don't like or to show support for a policy that you do. If your representative doesn't have any meetings with the public planned, then call them. Ask for a meeting with them directly or see if they could hold one in your local hall. Demand the action you want. If you live in the States a great website to check for town halls is https://townhallproject.com. Just put in your zip code, find your representative and what they are hosting in your area. 

• Start a letter writing campaign.

Ask your friends or classmates to write a letter to their representatives about the issue. If you create a unified force they can't ignore all of you. Create petitions and get them signed, if you can get the numbers you can get that representative’s vote . In eighth grade, my friends and I started a letter writing campaign to our local school board to allow contraceptives to be prescribed in school-based health centers. One voice amplified by the support of others can be an incredible force for good. Here is a great article about how to start a letter writing campaign https://www.resourcecentre.org.uk/information/organising-a-letter-writing-campaign.  It also has some good tips for activism in the UK!

• Elect Someone Else.

If you and your representative don't see eye to eye, help the campaign of someone who does. Volunteer at events, donate money, talk about their opponent and get them elected. Don't let the fact that they have the power mean that they get to keep it. Power is a privilege and if you live in a democratic state then it’s one that can be taken away by the people. Finding a candidate that you agree with and getting them into office can be the best way for you to get your message out. Teen Vogue wrote a wonderful article about teens working in campaigns https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-volunteer-political-campaign It gives a great walkthrough with how to get into campaign work under 18. 

As a teen you will often hear that you are “too young” to be in political spaces, You may not feel included in the conversations that ‘adults’ are having but, there are ways for you to put yourself into the movement. Sometimes no one will open the door for you so you have to bust it down. Make your voice loud, project it above everyone who says that you can't or says that you don’t know what you’re talking about. When people say “The youth are the future” I agree, but we don't have to wait for the future to come to us the future can start today.

Danny