On Tuesday, November 5th, Democratic candidate Bill de Blasio and Republican candidate Joe Lhota will compete for the position of New York City mayor. Most of our students do not meet the age requirement to vote for either candidate. Too many students will use this restriction of their age to justify their indifference to the upcoming election. Indifference, in this case, would be the wrong choice.
Every teenager not yet 18 needs to recognize the influence they carry within their social and familial circles. They also need to acknowledge their future’s dependence on the current choices of the adults in their lives. It’s time for teenagers to hold adults accountable. If you still question whether this election could affect you, ask yourselves the following questions:
- Do you want job security following college graduation?
- Are you okay with paying rent that takes up more than 1/3 of your monthly salary?
- Do you trust the police force?
- Should the city ban sugary drinks?
- Has the subway ever made you late for school?
- Should standardized tests decide your educational future?
If at least one of the above questions resonates with you, then you ought to reevaluate your relationship with the city’s government. Government is a process. Your 18th birthday does not result in the government opening up for your quick changes. The process starts now. If you want to secure a certain type of future, start educating yourself. Then, inform those around you who do have the power to vote on how to vote.
People of all ages have a tendency to voice their opinion without spending enough time with the facts. If you want to engage in a discussion that might make a difference in someone’s vote, take the time to check out the link below. Learn about the major issues of this election and each candidate’s position regarding them, and then commit to a dialogue that matters.