Under the Constitution, voting rights are guaranteed to all citizens of the United States under the Constitution, regardless of their race, gender, or religious affiliations. However, in the past couple of years many states have there has been a push to passed laws restricting voting rights.

California has gone in the opposite direction, making it easier to vote through expanding early voting and vote-by-mail options, and by making it easier to register to vote. Despite these changes, many people still don’t vote in California – especially young people.

Young voters need to be able to recognize the power they possess. By practicing their voting rights, representatives for governments that properly reflect voting citizens are elected for office. The topics and viewpoints they supported are then brought to the forefront of discussions and politics.

The best way to be a responsible citizen is to be educated on the perspectives of each of the candidates. This ranges from understanding their campaign platforms to hearing candidates talk with the general public about changes they want to see in their community. Maintaining an open mind is essential to being an educated voter.

There have been steps taken over the years to increase the turnout of young voters. The main method currently advertised and encouraged is pre voter pre-registration, where young people who will turn 18 by the coming election can pre-register before their 18th birthday. Registering to vote ahead of the election allows you to receive a mail-in ballot, which you can use to send your ballot in by mail or which you can drop-off at an official ballot drop-box.

In California, voters can also register as late as the day of the election.
When going to vote for the first time, new voters tend to forget that they need to provide documented proof of their identity and other details in order to receive a ballot.

By pre-registering to vote, young people can more easily participate in election. Now, the moment voting is mentioned to young people, they are able to take immediate action to cement their future involvement in politics. They are able to ensure that, when they come of age, these new voters will be able to vote and have their voices heard.