Disclaimer: This article discusses school shootings. 

Dear fellow American,

I’ve been thinking about you recently. Since learning about the boons and banes of policymaking in government class, I’ve become determined to stay informed about our national, state, and local leadership. Yet, in all my researching and pondering, I still can’t figure out why you don’t cast a vote.

You know, fellow American, it’s difficult to look at the news and see classrooms turned into shooting ranges, then walk into school like everything is fine. 

We, the students of America, are scared for our future, and we’re driven to make a change. Yet, we lack the fundamental right necessary to protect ourselves from censorship and school shootings: the vote.

I was introduced to the power of the vote in 2019, when my former home of Madison, Alabama opened a referendum on whether taxes should be raised to fund the construction of new schools.

My mom fought hard to get this referendum approved—knocking on doors, writing letters, protesting—and in the next election, our city’s voters showed their overwhelming support of the proposal.

I was blown away by this victory. As a student in that education system, I saw voting directly make my life better by ensuring our education system could sustain the growing student population.

This was in stark contrast to my first experience with elections: Donald Trump’s victory in 2016. 

My family was a vocal opponent of his agenda, and seeing my parent’s votes not affect who became president was extraordinarily disheartening. In the coming years, all I ever heard about politics involved argument and hate.

I’m in tenth grade now, fellow American. I’m not even old enough to vote yet, but I’ve found this unceasing drive to do what I can for the election. I write to you now with a fervent determination to make a change.

The rights of America’s students are in grave danger. From banning the books checked out at our library to altering the history taught in our classroom, state and local governments are reshaping the education system to manipulate young people like me.

You can say a lot of things about my age group, fellow American, but you certainly can’t call us oblivious. Children are more educated about politics than many adults think: in fact, a majority learn about politics not from their parents, but rather from school and their own media viewing.

We have been out of our leadership’s view for years. Warning our leaders about the dangers of book bans and gun rights only accomplishes so much, as our elected officials don’t serve us: they serve the voter.

The only way for our message to be heard by politicians is for the electorate to voice their opinions using the powerful vote. The threat of losing reelection is enough to make an elected official do nearly anything, and that’s essential to making sure they stay in line with their voters’ wants.

It’s for this reason that I write to you, fellow American. The lives and liberties of America’s students are in grave danger, and we need someone to represent our concerns, so our voices are heard. We need that representative to be you.

You hold the power to influence our lives at an unimaginable scale. As politicians continue to ignore the safety of our schools, you hold the power to make a difference by voting for candidates who value our protection and education.

I understand that you may not have ever voted before. I understand that not voting is a habitual trait. And I understand that you don’t vote for a variety of reasons: maybe you lack faith in the election system, or all the candidates are bad options. But I believe you’re forgetting about the levels of government that affect people like me the most: state and local lawmakers.

From school boards to city councils, state legislatures to state courts, these rulemaking bodies pass book bans and dangerously expand gun rights far more often than the President. 

Fellow American, even though you may have never looked into elections for these offices, we must ensure candidates who want to protect America’s students emerge victorious.

I’ve been thinking about you recently. In all my research and pondering, I’m beginning to understand why you don’t vote. Politics is disillusioning and frustrating. But to make it something you’re proud to participate in, you must first fight for a change. What easier way to do so than with your Constitution-protected right to vote?

You know, fellow American, it’s difficult to look at the news and see yet another teacher censured by a school board for teaching real history. 

We, the students of America, are scared for our future, and we’re driven to make a change. For the safety and liberty of people like me, I urge you to use your vote to represent those without one.

Your fellow American,

Ronan

In Maryland, you can register to vote on election day, November 5, 2024. Find your nearest poll at vote.org/polling-place-locator/.

To contact this writer, email Muse Newspaper at musebsa@bsfa.org.

Featured photo by Harlow Moschera for the BSA Muse.