Stay Woke and Vote
As the President of College Democrats of America, I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to meet and work with student activists from around the country. Together, we’re working to create a country where every young American can be heard, and we’re fighting to shape a future that we believe in. We’ve been getting ready for this election for months, and it’s hard to believe we’re just 50 days out.
Two of the topics that matter most to me in this race are student debt relief and mental health care. I know too many people who deal with one or both of these burdens in their life. I already feel stress about the cost of getting an undergrad and graduate degree. And too many students are suffering from mental illness (especially students of color, survivors of sexual assault, LBGTQ+ students, and those from lower socioeconomic statuses) and don’t feel comfortable seeking the help they need. It’s an unfair burden on millennial Americans, and something has to change.
These issues — along with topics like climate change, immigration reform, and equal pay — are what matter to young voters. And there’s only one candidate in this race with a serious plan to address them — that’s Hillary Clinton. She’s fighting for the issues that matter the most to me and my friends, and I’m proud to be fighting for her.
There’s a lot that you can do to pitch in over the next 50 days. You can make calls, knock on doors, register voters. (And if you’re a college student who’s trying to get involved at your school — let me know. We want your help!) There’s so much that you can do, but really it all boils down to one thing:
You have to vote.
That’s it. You’ve got to vote. Like President Obama said at the CBC gala — progress, tolerance, democracy, and justice are on the ballot this November. This election is too important for you to stay home. Go to IWillVote.com, register to vote, and make sure you’re ready to make your voice heard.
Remember that your voter registration needs to reflect your current address, and as college students, that address can change a lot. IWillVote.com will help you check on your registration status and register to vote if you need to. Tell your friends, tell your classmates, yell it at a random kid across the quad. This is the most important election of our lifetime.
Stay woke and vote.
