Our View | 2020 Elections Time is now for teens to share their voices

With election season fast approaching once again, newsrooms are abuzz with discussions on who will be picked in each election’s primary, and for many high schoolers at Cedar Falls High School, this will be their first time voting in an election. 

After the presidential election in 2016, our country has become more divided than ever. In fact, a poll conducted by The Atlantic and the Public Religion Research Institute found that 74 percent  of Americans feel that the country is divided, and many people feel that their views aren’t represented politically at the national level. 

School shootings and climate change issues have become a daily occurrence in the United States news circuit. Divisive words and violent natures have arisen, making Facebook a minefield for political commentary. While America used to represent a somewhat united front, our current political situation has divided us more than ever. 

There is only one way to solve this problem: get involved politically. The task may seem daunting at first, but it can be relatively easy. Living in Iowa gives students a special advantage of caucusing. Iowa is the first state to caucus, making it a hotspot for candidates to campaign. 

Caucuses can seem scary and overwhelming for first-time voters, especially if they haven’t had experience with political candidates, but it allows for voters to get a picture of each candidate and pick which one most closely represents their own political views. 

A Pew Research Center study found that 70 percent of Americans believe that voting in elections is important, while only 56 percent of the U.S. voting-age population voted in the 2016 presidential election. The key to fairly representing citizens lies in the power of the popular vote. 

At caucuses, voters get to hear from multiple candidates’ campaigns and make an informed decision on which candidate they think is the best choice. This also is one of the few opportunities voters have to hear about multiple candidates all at once. 

At the end of the day, all Americans want a better and brighter tomorrow. While citizens may have differing opinions on how to get there, it’s important to make sure that all our voices are heard. Participating in elections is the easiest way to do so, and should be a priority for all Americans.