Many MHS seniors will be eligible to vote in the 2024 election on Tuesday, Nov. 5. However, it is unlikely that many students will take that step. 

According to Statista, only 49.1% of 18 to 24 year olds were registered to vote as of 2022, yet as the youngest group of eligible voters, we are the loudest voice for change.

We have the power to advocate for policies and representation that can address our needs in a changing world. Voting is not just a right; it’s our responsibility, and that begins with registering to vote.

At 17.5 years old, Missouri citizens can register to vote. Registration is a crucial first step that creates a clear path for involvement in our society. It gives us access to an opportunity to stand up for what we believe in, challenge what others may accept and push for a country that we are proud to be a part of.

We can’t complain about what could or should be if we choose not to register. By forgoing a simple step, we become the frustrating group of people who complain that they want something different but are too lazy to work for the change themselves.

Others may hold off on registering because they feel like they “don’t have an opinion” or are “too young.”

At what age do your opinions arrive, then?

We all have different convictions, even if we have to dig a little deeper to find them. And while it’s easy to feel out of place in politics, our youth isn’t a disadvantage; if anything, it allows us to see old issues with fresh eyes.

Wednesday, Oct. 9 is the last day to register to vote for the upcoming election. It is imperative that all eligible seniors take the simple step of registering to vote to represent our dynamic generation. 

Because if not now, when?