Joe Biden’s win reminds us that yes, youth voters do matter
ICYMI, Democratic nominees Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are set to become the next President and Vice President of the United States, respectively. While the tallies have yet to be finalized, numerous reputable election desks have called it for the pair.
The win is historic in many ways. Harris is the first woman and woman of color to nab the post. Biden garnered the most votes of any candidate in history. Overall, the voter turnout of 160 million is the highest in more than a century, with votes still being counted as of writing.
The youth had much to play in these milestones. Per Vox, 53% of youth voters (aged 18-29) showed up this year, compared to 46% in 2016. 62% of those who did voted for Biden, according to The New York Times.
Biden’s stronger stances with regards to the pandemic, racism, and climate change, issues that Trump has notoriously floundered on, were the driving force behind the youth’s support.
One of you may ask, ‘Wait, why should I care?’. ‘Who cares what happens to a country halfway across the globe? Let’s focus on our own’.
Well, my little ignorant asshat, not only does the US President-elect have an effect on global policies that will affect our nation, but these elections also serve as a reminder. A reminder that yes, the votes of the youth matter, and that they can trigger the change we want to see.
Our local voter demographic proves that. According to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), there are only around 61.8M voters in PH out of a population of 109M. Out of these, 31% are aged 18-29, while 32% include those in their early to late 30s.
While racism and climate change might not be our most pressing issues, we do have corruption scandals, extra-judicial killings, and blatant displays of selective justice, to name a few.
And just like the US, we have a chance to right these wrongs in the upcoming 2022 elections. Or at least have a better sense of direction on how we could.
Filipinos already seemed to be excited at the prospect. Within hours of Biden’s triumph, words such as ‘Tayo Naman‘ and ‘Halalan 2022’ trended on local social, with Filos encouraging everyone to register to vote.
I only pray that this advocacy is not just a product of hype or of the moment. That by the September 2021 deadline, there will be more than 61M who realized that things are messed up. That come 2022, we will exercise our right to do something about it.
See our guide on how you can register to vote so we won’t be stuck with dumbasses
The post <b> Joe Biden’s win reminds us that yes, youth voters do matter </b> appeared first on WE THE PVBLIC.
Source: we the pvblic
No comments