Ballots were cast almost a year ago for real estate tycoon, “bigot” TV star Donald Trump and the controversial, “crooked” Hillary Clinton. The populace accused Mr. Trump of bigotry, racism, and sexual assault. They accused Secretary Clinton of the highest level of treason and chanted “lock her up.” You would have thought everybody and their grandma would have come out to vote– they did not.

In the brutish freakshow that was the apocalyptic 2016 election, only 55% of voting-age citizens cast ballots. Let’s dig in to understand why.

Americans are far too quick to develop radical views like “Build that wall! Send them back!” Our opinions are uninformed, and yet when the time comes to vote, we sit in the comfort of our homes year after year.

The United States takes its democracy for granted — Americans only vote when it is in their self-interest.  

“America has had it too good for too long,” history teacher Mr. Venezia stated. “We’ve had it so good for so long that most Americans don’t recognize the potential hardship that could come about if bad decisions are made. We’ve been so secure that self-interest doesn’t come into play because people feel like they’re going to be fine no matter what.”

A prevalent and accepted explanation for Trump’s victory is that his supporters voted for him out of self-interest. They essentially said, “Hey, here’s a candidate who understands I lost my job and promises to revamp the Rust Belt and American manufacturing.”

Regardless of whether that will — or even can — happen, many jobless, ex-blue collar workers believed President Trump’s words; that belief led to their ballot box decision, made out of self-interest, which is the main reason our voter turnout is atrocious.  

So how can we mend this problem?

Mr. Venezia believes there are only two solutions to getting Americans to vote.  

“Well, I think better civic education is the key,” the AP US History teacher said, “where teachers set out to demonstrate that political participation does matter and that these are things that can affect your lives. That’s the good way.”

“The bad way would be if something horrific happened that kind of shoved that in their faces and I would hate to have that be the case. For example, a world war, another draft, or if the United States becomes a dictatorship or something along those lines where people suddenly feel that they have to participate.”

Our Founding Fathers created such a stable government that we have never had a coup or a dictatorship and have had only three drafts. Maybe Americans need a slap in their faces to realize that elections tremendously affect us and that voting in a democracy is precious and will preserve our stable way of life.  

But how does any of this affect you, a high schooler?

I am writing this editorial on National Voter Registration Day, September 26th. Many of you are now 18 years old, or will be turning 18 shortly. You have the power to vote and change the county, state, and country. Every vote does count, contrary to popular belief.

Elections at the federal, state, and local level have dramatic ramifications — the election of Donald Trump, the state’s budget, controversial bills like liquor privatization, and school board elections, to name just a few.  

Did you know, for example that the Pennsylvania Legislature changed the teen driving laws a few years ago? We used to be able to take our permit and driver’s license tests on the same day. This is just one small example of how voting and laws affect the populace, especially teenagers like yourselves.  

Millennials, if they could simply pull their heads out of Intsa-pinsta-snap-a-gram and become informed and vote, could get their way.  

“The elderly vote in much bigger numbers, so obviously politicians skew the policies to cater to their likely voters,” Mr. Mohr said. “That’s why they are much more focused on Social Security and Medicare, rather than ensuring the affordability of college or later high school start times.”  

Mohr made an especially compelling point. “Statistically, if people in the 18-29 category voted overwhelmingly, they could elect just about any candidate they wanted and have policies more favorable to them.”

Alas, the average high schooler is probably “chat-snapping” instead of choosing to become informed and participate in the sacred democracy we have been bequeathed.  

Interestingly, Mohr presented me with a question of his own: ”Is anyone going to read your article on voter turnout? The irony is that very few students are going to read this because your average high schooler is going to flip straight past your article on voter turnout and never read it. Most Americans throw away the front page and turn to the sports page.”

Don’t be the average high schooler. Don’t vote only when it’s in your immediate interest. Millennials want to be free from their parents and independent– voting is simply a way of being able to express your beliefs and create change.

You want to have lower tuition? You want change and demand it? Then get up off of your lackadaisical rear-end and vote. Don’t complain and whine about our country’s policies. Get informed, vote, and create change.