Students and staff of American University agreed on Wednesday that people should exercise their right to vote more because of its influence on the country.
In the November 2016 election, young people continued the trend of voting in fewer numbers than older Americans, according to the Census Bureau.
But one trend that is perhaps more unknown is the fact that college educated youth are continuing to vote more than the general public.
At American University, many students feel that voting is an important part of their citizenship.
Melissa Lashway, an American University student, said that to her voting is one of the most important civic duties a person had. But, despite this, she did not vote due to being overseas and waiting too long to get an absentee ballot. Lashway said more people would vote, “if people realized the impact they had.”
Abby Osamwonyi, who works part time at AU, expressed pride in having voted in 2016. She looks forward to voting in 2018.
Adam Craig, who is also a student, also voted and made it clear that he thought voting mattered.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of college enrollment among newly graduated from high school has only been rising in recent years, meaning that there could be a rise in youth voting in the near future.
“It dictates our lives even if they don’t think it does,” Craig said.