With midterm elections fast approaching, it is important to acknowledge the rising levels of civic engagement when it comes to youth populations, ages 18 to 29, in the United States.

Now more than ever, younger generations want to be directly involved in government processes. Whether at the local level, like volunteering as poll watchers, or at the state and federal level, like hosting public forums discussing Michigan’s ballot proposals, we see young folks doing great things to help better inform people across the country.

For instance, I recently attended an event called “Anatomy of an Election.” The event was hosted by Northern Votes, a non-partisan student organization at Northern Michigan University that works to educate, advocate and engage students on campus to be civically active at all levels of our government.

“Anatomy of an Election” invited Michigan election officials and city clerks from across the U.P. to discuss the mechanics of voting in our state. Spanning two hours, topics varied from the purchase of voting equipment to the roles of those working at polling locations on election day.

Event attendees were even invited to attend public accuracy tests, which provide interested parties with an opportunity to watch and experience first-hand how the computer programs used to track and tabulate our votes work.

Northern Votes is one of many non-partisan organizations on NMU’s campus that encourage students to go out and have their voices heard. This eagerness to become civically engaged, however, appears to be a recent trend.

According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, the 2020 presidential election saw an 11-point increase in youth voter turnout (ages 18 to 29) when compared to the 2016 presidential election, with 50% of the population voting compared to the previous 39%.

This fact marked the 2020 presidential election with one of the highest youth voter turnouts since 1971, the year when the legal voting age was changed from 21 to 18.

This trend is expected to continue into this midterm election. A recent survey conducted by Harvard Kennedy School found that “youth turnout in the 2022 midterm elections is on track to match, or potentially exceed … historic level[s] of participation.”

No specific policy issue or candidate is overwhelmingly rallying young voters to the ballot box. Instead, I believe that the social awareness of today’s youth and the desire to have their voices heard when it comes time for elected leaders to make important policy decisions have led to this recent spike in numbers.

I have always been a history nerd, especially when it comes to the American Revolution, our founding fathers and our government system. My love for American democracy is why I chose to major in political science at NMU, where I have and continue to develop my knowledge on such topics.

Due to my education, I was made more aware of the intricacies of elections, how meticulous the counting process is and why my singular vote matters amongst the millions of others. Because of this, I voted as soon as I was eligible to do so. Like many other people my age, I was so excited to cast my ballot in 2020 and proudly wear my “I Voted” sticker.

I was not excited because I felt that I had demonstrated my commitment to a certain cause. Instead, I was simply honored to be able to participate in a democratic election.

While more than half of the countries across the globe are governed by democratic regimes, not everyone is able to express the right to vote and therefore have their voices heard. Although shrinking in dominance, many autocratic leaders and governments continue to exist.

As the people of a democratic nation, we are granted two unique powers: voice and veto. The power of voice is illustrated through free and fair elections and accessible voting methods, which allow citizens to choose who represents and makes decisions on their behalf. The power of veto allows citizens to remove or publicly criticize political leaders who do not meet their standards for representative office

Citizens of autocratic regimes are not granted these same powers. In brief, autocratic regimes are not responsive to their constituents, operate without checks and balances and do not tolerate any form of dissent — qualities of governance that directly contradict our democratic values.

Voting is a privilege that is often taken for granted. To demonstrate this, I find it fitting to quote founding father Benjamin Franklin. After the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Franklin was asked by a passerby whether the United States was to have a monarchy or a republic.

His response was simple: “A republic, if you can keep it.”

Therefore, I encourage all who are eligible to vote to do so in the upcoming midterm election.

Before filling in those fateful bubbles, be sure to learn more about the candidates and proposals on your ballot. You can find voting information uniquely tailored to you at vote411.org and mi.gov/vote. These resources will help you make the best-informed decision on election day and ensure that your voice is heard.

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Andie Balenger is a native of Gladstone and is currently attending Northern Michigan University. Her column focuses on college life and runs Thursdays in the Daily Press.