How Students Can Make a Difference in this Election

In just 45 days, voters in the United States will be casting their votes for president. As election day draws near, tensions have been rising with the fate of our next president left momentarily undecided. While a small population of upperclassmen have the opportunity to vote in this upcoming election, most Valencia students cannot. Beyond asking parents or siblings to go out and vote, there are many ways that young people can make their voices heard in this year’s election. 

1. Volunteering for a Campaign

Whether it be a local election or an election at the national level, candidates need an efficient campaign to get elected. To get that campaign running smoothly, they need volunteers. Volunteering can range from calling voters at a phone bank to getting hands-on action by canvassing where volunteers go door to door and encourage people to vote for their candidate. This is one of the best and most effective ways to support a campaign, and if you bring a friend or two, it can even be fun! You can find volunteer opportunities for the Harris Walz campaign here and the Trump Vance campaign here.

2. Joining or Creating Youth Political Organizations

Valencia High School does not currently house either a Young Democrats or Young Republicans club on campus, but that could change. These clubs are one of the best ways for youth to get involved in politics, as they create a space for students to engage in political discourse, get involved in local politics, and participate in political events. In fact, one of the youngest delegates at the Democratic National Convention was a high school senior and president of her school’s Young Democrats club. This just shows that by creating or joining a youth-based political organization, you can gain access to many opportunities and become involved at a young age. 

3. Using Social Media for Advocacy

Global pop star Taylor Swift recently broke her silence on the presidential election by endorsing Kamala Harris. Similarly, Beyonce had pledged her support for Harris at the start of her campaign, going as far as to license her song “Freedom” to be the campaign’s anthem. Even social media personalities like Bryce Hall or Adin Ross have come out, endorsing Donald Trump and his campaign. However, you don’t have to be famous to use social media for political advocacy. Anyone with an account, private or public, with five followers or five million, can participate. All it takes is to share one post, repost one story, write an encouraging comment, or get your candidate's name out, to make a difference.

4. Working at the Polls

While in California, poll workers must be 18 years or older, Los Angeles County offers the Student Election Worker Program. This is a program that allows high school students to serve as Election Workers in Los Angeles County elections, earning great, hands-on political experience and even a stipend for their hard work. In order to qualify, you must be at least 16 years old, attending a public or private high school, be a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident, hold a 2.5 GPA or higher, and obtain teacher and parental consent. You can apply and find information here.

As the clock ticks down to election day, it becomes more apparent that the time to act is now. Follow one of these suggestions or use an alternative form of involvement to make your voice heard or volunteer for those who cannot. Happy voting!