By Stefanie Gadalean, UF League of Women Voters Founder & President
In the recent months, two things have become increasingly apparent to me. The first is a generalized sense of hopelessness for the upcoming four years. The second is young people’s increased polarization between political apathy and extreme partisanship. The amalgamation of hopelessness, apathy, and unforgiving partisanship has led many young people to leave their ballots blank. I am writing to plead to my fellow Gen-Zs that not voting will only perpetuate their political grievances.
In addressing the first revelation, when I feel the bombardment of hopelessness in the sphere of politics, it often concerns the top of the ballot. Fortunately, there is more to voting than voting for the commander-in-chief. In Florida, abortion rights are on the ballot (VOTE YES ON 4!), school board elections prove vital in preserving Americans’ right to education, and Gainesville community members’ right to affordable utilities banks on the city commission elections. That being said, elections on the local level are equally, if not more so, as vital as state and federal elections. How hope is instilled in citizens, peers, and ourselves is through the reminder of the power we each hold in local government. Local politics is where we connect the dots between passion and change. On June 23, I had the privilege of co-hosting a primary candidate forum alongside the Bob Graham Center and the League of Women Voters of Alachua County for Alachua County candidates; let me tell you, each of those candidates held sincere concern for our community and made the effort to listen to their potential constituents and what they had to say. THAT is politics.
As a student, the tactical carelessness I witness going into this vital election season makes me ponder how a generation committed to systemic change and social mobilization can be so numb. Apathy is the enemy of hope, it’s a haven for those too comfortable to be bothered with ‘abstract issues.’ Apathy is the default for those without courage. To be a young citizen of the United States and choose political apathy is an injustice to the honor of voting and disrespectful to the democracy-powered nation we are fighting to maintain. This election IS the time to be courageous and not shy away from hard conversations and confrontations. Yes, we are tired, but that gives us all the more reason to stay awake. Let us, the generation with the possibility to catalyze exuberant degrees of change, choose not to be complicit in the face of broken systems because it is the easy way out. Nothing worthwhile is easy.
On the other hand, individuals with views that are not reflected in political candidates’ choosing not to vote further prevent social progress. May I remind you that choosing not to vote automatically ensures the views you support are not reflected in your government? Furthermore, is it not part of democracy to compromise for the greater good of our community? Yes, ethically it may be true that some issues should not be compromised on, however, if democracy is the practice of citizens electing officials that reflect personal political views, is it not appropriate to have candidates that encompass views that cater to a larger demographic of people?
It is also important to note we do not solely vote for names we see on the ballot. Specifically when voting for the president, we are also voting for cabinet appointees, potential Supreme Court nominations, and an executive body that may lead a country through unprecedented times like global pandemics. Thus, when filling out our ballots, the notion that compromise is a natural aspect of democracy must remain at the forefront of our minds. This compromise is a good thing; it keeps the democratic process flowing and in check.
Lastly, I would like to address women specifically: do not forsake the women who came before us, and remember the generations of struggle women endured for our right to cast our ballots. Exercising the right to vote is our DUTY as women, not only for the future of our nation but for paying homage to the women in the United States who were never granted the opportunity to vote, and to the women around the world who remain barred from participating in elections. We wear the legacies of our mothers and grandmothers. We carry the hope for our daughters when we enter that ballot box. Ladies, it is the moment our rights are for granted when our progress in the perpetual mission for equality is jeopardized.
Aug. 20 and Nov. 5 is our time as Gen-Z Floridians to rise to the occasion of defending our democracy. Never discredit the power your vote has, never discredit your voice in the democratic process, and certainly never discredit that your passions can be reflected in government.
How do we find hope for tomorrow’s America? We VOTE.
For a trusted source of information about ballot choices this election season, visit to the League of Women Voters site VOTE411! at lwv.org/elections/vote411
To hear what Alachua County Canadites have to say, watch the Bob Graham Center’s and League of Women Voters of Alachua County Primary Candidates Forum at: tinyurl.com/Iguana2037