Why I Want My Generation to Vote

Some people say that no one outside the Beltway cares about elections until October.

These folks may have a point. Right now, the election is all about horse-race polling, lukewarm endorsements, and a politicos-only audience.

But beneath it all, real issues are at stake. Young women across the country have seen the effect that policies and the leaders who put them in place have on our everyday lives — which is why it’s heartening to see our issues at the top of the discussion list. That’s where they should be.

We’re going to need all women to feel comfortable telling our own stories of how policies have changed our lives, for better and for worse, so that our leaders understand where we’re coming from. It’s with this in mind that I made a video about my student debt and how working two jobs — 60 hours a week — to pay it off has affected me. We posted the video online as part of the AAUW Action Fund’s It’s My Vote: I Will Be Heard campaign, which aims to inspire young women to vote. And I’m not the only one sharing my story. Another AAUW staff member demands action and support for victims of sexual assault in her own video about why she’s voting.

Leading up to the election, we’ll continue to post videos by and for women about the importance of voting. The ultimate goal is to create a space where women can share their stories and celebrate their potential to create change at the polls this November. By voting, we demand attention for the issues we care about.

For me, that issue is student debt. And while I can’t change my own, I can vote for leaders who understand that access to college is more than just part of the American Dream — it’s crucial to our nation’s future, and it’s crucial for the rest of my generation, which faces the double-edged sword of high unemployment and a large debt burden.

For others, it’s finding a job, having access to health care, or being paid fairly. We need to be talking about what we care about. Because no matter where we live — inside the Beltway or out — these issues will shape our lives. Get involved in the conversation today. Check out our Tumblr, and follow the My Vote campaign (@ItsMyVote) on Twitter.