Introduction

As eager as some may be, in Florida the right to vote is reserved for those 18 years of age or older. However, an early gateway toward civic participation is provided through a state law that allows teens, as young as 16, to pre-register and actively participate as volunteers in polling stations. This accelerated pathway into the nation’s societal obligations increases the youth voting turnout, builds voting habits, and graciously welcomes new generations of voters into the process.

Historical Context

The Founding Framers originally intended the voting age to be set at 21, as dictated in the U.S Constitution. Due to the persistence of the Vietnam War, the growing consciousness of the population could be summarized by a simple slogan, “Old Enough to Fight, Old Enough to Vote” referencing the young men being sent off to war whilst still being unable to have a say in the nation’s political landscape. Then in 1971, the 26^th amendment lowered the minimum voting age to 18, in compliance with the majority’s demands. Ever since, states have introduced additional ways to involve the youth in the democratic process before the legal voting age.

Florida’s Rules for Teens

The following are important pieces of information broken down into a more digestible format:

1. Voting Age: You must be 18 years old to cast a ballot.
2. Pre-Registration: At 16 or 17 years old, you are allowed to pre-register, but this does not become active until your 18^th birthday.

• Registration: You may sign up online at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov, through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or by the submission of a paper form.

1. Deadlines: You must be registered a full 29 days prior to an election.
2. Voting: Although you are not legally required to vote in the United States, it is a civic duty for all Americans and is highly encouraged in all states.

Political Landscape

Although there are many smaller political movements, the U.S has historically been dominated by a two-party system:

The Democratic Party

• Their ideology is generally leaning toward the left and is mainly liberal. This party believes in a strong federal government role in addressing inequality in the nation and instituting social programs. They have been associated with socially progressive beliefs such as LGBTQ+ rights, abortion rights, racial and gender equality.

The Republican Party

• Their ideology is generally leaning toward the right and is mainly conservative. They believe in a limited government, free markets, lower taxation, deregulation, gun rights, and growing skepticism on social programs as well as a strong emphasis on traditional values, religious conservatism, and stricter immigration policies.

Why Young Votes Matter

“Does my vote even matter? It feels insignificant!” asked junior Adrian Suarez, which is a sentiment that may be shared among the common population, but the truth is it does; every vote counts. A vital example of this is the election of 2000 between Bush and Gore, where the State of Florida was so evenly split that the difference was just 327 votes.

The young vote, between ages 18 to 29, make up a large proportion of eligible voters. This leads them to be the most racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse voting block, which creates a great expectation on them to shape elections especially in battleground states. However, this age group has the one with the lowest turnout rates. With this lack of representation, the younger generations ideals are not reflected in elections. It is imperative to formulate positive habits early so that in the long-term, they are instinctively compelled to vote.

Myths and Misconceptions

“Why is voting so complicated?” questioned junior Francisco Cazelato. The truth is that it’s not. There are polling stations all around the nation, which can be found in your county’s website. Voters are assigned a station based on their home address. Polling stations are usually open from 7 a.m to 7 p.m, and once you arrive, it should not take longer than 30 minutes to get back to your day. Florida offers early voting in designated areas and even mail-in ballots which can be filled and dropped off in any of the designated drop boxes spread around your county.

“How does voting affect me?” pondered sophomore Luca Fortunato. Many believe that the only thing being voted upon is the future president, which is not the case. The ballot includes amendments and local laws that are constantly being proposed that could directly affect you. For example, Miami-Dade County recently passed the Rapid Mass Transit System Expansion which is seeking to expand the existing methods of public transportation.

First-Time Voter Tips

Florida ballots typically include candidates running for office, such as presidents, vice presidents, governors, senators and representatives, as well as state constitutional amendments and local policies. All voting is conducted by secret ballot which means that your choices remain private.

Who or what should I vote for? This is another valid inquiry many people share, but it does not have a simple answer. Voting is a personal choice; no one should lead your opinion or force you to vote for a certain candidate. Ensure that you have done your extensive research on both sides of the ballot, take into account how your ideals and values align with it, and make an educated decision.

Conclusion

Voting is one of the most important ways people can shape their communities and their future. Although teenagers cannot vote until they are 18, understanding registration, civic duties, and ballots, helps them be prepared to participate as soon as they are eligible. Staying informed about your state’s voting laws ensures that everyone’s voices are heard when the time comes.