Opinion | Vague Voting Information

Young voters are not taught the procedure to register to vote or what the process may look like, causing them a disinterest in voting and civic engagement.

Photo: 2024 The University of Utah

As the presidential election draws near, a first-time voter hears about registering to vote and only gets confused by all the government websites' pop-up information, and there is no clear way that they could know when it comes to voting. They sit there confused. They even think that because they don't know how, then why should their vote matter? How could they give their honest vote when they do not even know where to even start? 

Illinois passed a law that required Illinois high school students to complete a stand-alone, semester-long civics course. Course content must include instruction on government institutions, current and controversial issues discussions, service learning, and simulations of democratic processes. 

However, as young voters become adults, the education system frequently ignores what voting looks like, even in Illinois. Students miss out on learning about their rights and obligations as voters because many schools do not incorporate comprehensive education into their curriculum. This may result in a failure for young voters to know how to register, the importance of different elections, and how their vote affects regional and national concerns.

Students may feel unprepared and less inclined to engage in the democratic process if they lack a strong foundation in civic knowledge. The lack of focused programs or activities meant to get young voters talking about voting also makes them unprepared, and therefore may not completely understand the significance of their involvement or how to use the voting process when they reach voting age, which may eventually have an impact on voter turnout and civic engagement.

Additionally, it's likely that young voters are unaware of the significance of voting or the registration process, frequently as a result of civic organizations' lack of participation or outreach. Older voters and other groups emphasize voter participation frequently, but young voters may feel disengaged from civic engagement as a result of this negligence.

Their lack of engagement can also be attributed to cultural causes, such as the fast-paced lifestyle of many young adults who frequently balance work, school, and personal obligations. Young voters may start to see voting as a low priority in their hectic lives if they do not get constant messages about the value of civic engagement.

Civic organizations must use more contemporary and inclusive tactics that target young voters in particular and highlight the importance of their involvement in determining the future of their communities and the country in order to close this gap. In order to ensure that young voters understand their influence in the democratic process, engaging narrative, accessible information, and peer-to-peer outreach could all contribute to the instillation of a sense of duty and enthusiasm for voting.

Even while a large percentage of young voters are tech-savvy and at ease with a variety of digital platforms, a sizable portion may still find it difficult to locate trustworthy information or use online registration systems. This disparity may result from a number of things, such as the sheer amount of information on the internet, the frequency of false information, and the difficulty of some registration procedures. 

As a result, even tech-savvy people may experience confusion while attempting to access essential services or check the reliability of sources. To ensure that these people can fully participate in crucial processes like voting, education, and healthcare, it is imperative to offer them clear direction and assistance so they can make better use of the digital tools available to them.

Enhancing civic education in schools, emphasizing and understanding the significance of voting, and providing accurate and simple voting information could empower future voters, ensuring they are informed and ready to make their voices heard when it matters most.