This appeal is directed specifically to Millennials and will likely infuriate most of the Baby Boomer generation. I would apologize, but I am really not that sorry. For the past decade or so, Baby Boomers have had control of everything from the economy to the political landscape. Now that Millennials are finally infiltrating all areas of life and society, it’s time we take back our political system as well.
As it’s a proven fact that we have a short attention span, let me break down the reasons you should care about the 2016 election in the following list.
Reason #1 – Size Matters
The U.S. Census predicted that this year, Millennials will finally take over as the largest generation. We will be beating out the Baby Boomers, but not by much. Everyone knows that size always matters. And the size of our generation matters even more. Almost all Millennials are of voting age and we all SHOULD be registered to vote. With that being the case, then we could swing the 2016 election decision based on size alone.
Reason #2 – Swingers
As many of you may remember, the 2008 election was significantly impacted by the Millennial vote. Not only did our voting contingent account for nearly two-thirds of the overall increase in voter turnout, but Millennials also increased our overall share of the vote for the President.
However, that was almost eight years ago. In 2016, everyone born from 1991 to 1998 will now be eligible to vote. If we impacted the election that much in 2008, when only half of our generation could vote, imagine how much we could impact it now, with almost our entire generation able to vote?
Reason #3 – Don’t Send a Man to Do a Woman’s Job
As Queen Bey has taught us,
This is especially true when it comes to Millennial women and the election. The 2008 Election marked the first time that there were record increases across all racial demographics of women voters. Women have been slowly taking over as the predominant voter at election time, and that number increases even more when you look at all the single ladies. (Sorry, the pun was too good not to use.)
Reason #4 – Women of Color Creating Change
In even better news, 2008 also marked the first time that young African-American women turned out to vote in greater numbers than White women (yes, I am a White woman, and yes, this still makes me jump for joy). Just as important, the turnout of Millennial women also included the highest ever voter turnout for both Asian women and Latinas.
As African-Americans, Hispanics, and Asian families already make up almost 40 percent of the population in the United States, imagine what an impact those women could have if they all came out and voted.
Reason #5 – Liberalism At Its Finest
And finally, because this is LiberalAmerica.org and all, it certainly doesn’t hurt that when Millennials do show up, they tend to be overwhelmingly liberal. This may be because, at least in my own case, the Republican Party has veered far from its small government origins and into the bedroom. Most Millennials do not want the government telling them who to marry or what reproductive health choices they can make.
Because of this, many Millennials have been slowly pushed to the left. Even before the Republican Party got to its current xenophobic, homophobic and misogynistic state, in the 2008 Election 66 percent of voters aged 18-29 voted Democrat. I can only assume (and hope) that that trend would continue into the 2016 election as well.
So Millennials, please heed this call.
Get registered to vote and show up on election day!
Let’s take back this country and move forward in the best way possible for our generation!
Main Image Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/prayitnophotography/15336688748/
Animated Gif Credit: http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lskfd2PJwW1qeazlt.gif
