Our country is currently facing major division among its citizens due to the upcoming presidential election on November 3rd. Our country should not be influenced or governed by those who do not believe in the equality of all people no matter their race, sexual orientation, or gender.

Numerous members of our generation are becoming more actively involved in politics with the election approaching. Many have already voted and used other methods and platforms to ensure that their voices will not go unheard.

Freshman Caitlyn Sun said, “I feel like you have to understand that you are the future of our world and in order to make a change you have to be educated and involved.”

It is imperative that our voices be heard because our futures are being decided by a generation who won’t be here to see the aftermath of their actions. We have the rest of our lives ahead of us. Our futures should not be decided without our input nor without people who are unwilling to advocate for the youth.

2020 Los Altos alum Ariana Robles said, “We are basically the future, we will be the next politicians, activists, and people who will be bigger than who we are now so it is important that we as a young society get involved so we understand these problems that our country is currently going through so we can create positive change.”

Many Gen Z members are of voting age and have already cast their vote for President through early voting. Studies done by Tufts University show well over 50% more people from the ages of 18-29 have voted early this year than those in 2016 in numerous states such as Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Michigan, and many more.

The amount of young early voters in this election far surpasses the amount in the election four years ago which is expected to have a significant impact on this year’s race.

“This election will be the turning point for all of these activists and these causes that were being put forward during this quarantine. I also feel like it is important because it will determine what the future of this pandemic will look like, and what the future for women, for men, and for everybody will look like,” said Sun.

Even if you are a member of Gen Z who cannot vote there are still plenty of ways to make sure you are involved and making your voice be heard. Lots of people turn to social media to spread their opinions and to educate others on important issues using platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.

TikTok users even went so far as signing up for a Trump rally held in Tulsa Oklahoma back in June with no intent on attending just to disrupt turnouts and discourage him from holding indoor rallies.

The President boasted of almost 1 million people signed up to attend the event only to have 6,200 people actually attend costing the Trump campaign 2.2 million dollars for the event.

Peaceful protesting is another great way to express your opinion and call for change. If you don’t feel like you are aware enough to be spreading your opinions publicly the best thing you can do is simply get educated and research more on important topics and issues.

“I get educated, I understand my facts and I stand where I stand. I am voting in this upcoming election because our country’s leadership is greatly flawed and I want to be a part of a positive change,” said Robles.

Our generation has continued to show that we will not be silenced and the largest way you can contribute if you are 18 or older is by voting.

If you’re 18 years old, you are eligible to vote. If you have not yet registered to vote, you can still do so at a polling place on or before November 3. Find your polling place here: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place.

This year, due to the pandemic, there are a number of polling places that have opened for early voting. Others will open October 30, and even more so will open November 3, Election Day.