Restoring democracy

It is heartening to see that the people of Arkansas turned up to the polls in one of the most unprecedented elections in our shared history. The historically low levels of participation in elections is both ironic and saddening, compromising the United States’ self-proclaimed image of being an icon of true democracy. Perhaps most saddening is the absence of representative participation from young people.

Our society suffers from a lack of generational continuance. From generation to generation, young people become less engaged in politics, as older voters (above 60) disproportionately represent the people. This reality has massively amplified the political stagnation that already exists. This year, however, the young people of the United States arrived with great force and power. According to a Harvard Youth Poll, 63 percent of Americans age 18-29 said they would “definitely be voting” in the election. The results have been historic.

I am 18 years old, and I voted for the first time this year. As a young person in America, I believe it is now more urgent than ever to engage my generation—and the next— in guarding the gates of our election process. This month we showed up. If we continue this trend, there is a hope for the ultimate restoration of democracy.

WILLOW NEWCOMB

West Fork