Generation Z politicians elect the Democratic Party Committee
The Harris campaign has succeeded in reaching many younger voters by incorporating memes and pop culture.
With elections approaching, today’s young people are wondering how they can get involved. Regardless of voting age, there are still many opportunities for young people to get involved in local, state and federal politics.
Engaging our youth is one of the most important steps our country must take to prepare young people for their future in politics.
The first way to get involved as a youth is to start at the local level. First, talking to the city council can make an impact in your community. The city of Galesburg also offers numerous opportunities for youth.
One example is the Youth Commission. This Galesburg Youth Commission is made up of 11 members from Galesburg, 7 of whom are different high school students from the area. In this council, youth have had the opportunity to express their concerns about the community and advocate for the overall well-being of the young people of Galesburg.
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Additionally, they can participate in community events and plan and participate in community service projects while serving on the local council. This is a great way to take initiative in your community while still in high school and make a difference in your daily life.
To further increase their commitment, young people can also become active in the state parliament. One way to get involved is to volunteer in the building of your state parliament.
In Illinois, you can gain a deeper understanding of how state government works through various volunteer opportunities at the Capitol. This also opens up opportunities for further networking and potential internship opportunities for the youth.
Another way for young people to get involved in state politics is through various political associations. Many political groups are active at the state level, such as the group Young Americans for Liberty and many more.
They work to educate and mobilize today’s youth for their future roles in the political sphere. Both examples are a great way to get your foot in the door and get involved in government while representing today’s youth.
Another step youth can take to become more politically involved is at the federal level. The website youth.gov offers several ways to get involved in today’s politics. The website offers an entire section focused on youth and their involvement. It also highlights several ways to volunteer for government and also offers online internships to connect with people from across the country.
To gain a greater appreciation and respect for the upcoming election, some schools offer a “mock election.” For older high school students who want to vote but don’t meet the age requirement, organizing and holding a mock election at your school could be a way to prepare for the next election. This will teach you leadership skills, but also allow you to influence other high school students to want to vote later in life.
Young people are offered many opportunities and if they can take advantage of them, they will be able to improve themselves for their future political engagement.
Even if voting isn’t an option, there are many ways to make a difference, whether it’s in your community, your state, or the federal government. Getting involved in some way is a great way for the future and gives you real-world experience.
McKenna Clark is in her penultimate year at Williamsfield High School.
