I’m not eighteen yet, but I know many high school seniors are. Election day is on November 4th. While my home state, Tennessee, doesn’t have same-day voter registration, nearly half of the U.S. states do. As young adults, it’s hard to make our voices heard, and voting can feel especially pointless in majority-red or majority-blue states. Here’s why you should register to vote anyway, and why voting is actually a Jewish value.

According to Tufts University, just 47% of voters ages 18-25 voted in the last presidential election. The 53% that doesn’t vote could make an extraordinary difference, especially in “purple” states. Considering how much lower voter turnout is for local elections, it’s clear that as a young person, your vote matters. Additionally, turnout is important in local politics. Even if your preferred candidate doesn’t win, showing up demonstrates to your community leaders that a large part of their constituency strongly believes in a particular set of values. Moreover, countless Jewish values call us to be civically engaged citizens. Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof (“Justice, justice you shall pursue”), Tikkun Olam (“Repair the World”), and finally, Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh La-Zeh (“All Jews are responsible for one another”), all advocate for accountability and actively work to improve your community. Voting for politicians you trust to create policies that make your community safer, more equitable, and fair is one of the easiest ways to make concrete positive change. Many Rabbis have even suggested that voting is a mitzvah; participation in democracy can be seen throughout Jewish history, and as the next generation, we must keep that tradition alive Personally, I had been looking forward to join BBYO’s Voice Your Vote campaign through the I.L.N. as a Senior, and was disheartened to see they decided not to bring the coordinator position back for 2025. Even though it is not a major election year, I still believe BBYO has the incredible ability to mobilize young voters. I hope they bring back the teen-led initiative for midterms next year, but for now, you can still access the Voice Your Vote resources at https://azabbg.bbyo.org/campaigns/voice-your-vote.  

If you are not eighteen, you can still make an impact. Ask your family members and friends if they are voting, and who they are voting for. Look for candidates whose platforms speak to you, find their websites, and volunteer to phone bank/canvas. Sign up to work the polls, which in many states is a paid opportunity. When I feel pessimistic or hopeless, advocating for ballot measures I support and candidates I believe in makes me feel like I am contributing to the greater good. With these experiences, I’ve developed my communication skills and, more importantly, learned to respectfully discuss my beliefs with people who disagree with me. If you are eighteen and are not already registered to vote, visit vote.gov to see if and how you can still register. Your community is depending on you!