Too many registered voters stay home, especially when it’s not a presidential election year.

Things get even worse among young voters.

And worst still among Northeast Michigan’s young voters.

In the November 2022 midterm elections, the share of registered voters ages 18 to 29 who stayed home on Election Day hit 66% in Alpena County, 66% in Presque Isle County, 70% in Montmorency County, and 68% in Alcona County, according to story in today’s edition of The News citing a recent Michigan Secretary of State report. That’s compared to 59% of young voters who stayed home statewide and about 45% of all voters who stayed home statewide.

In the November 2020 presidential election, 44% of Alpena County’s young voters, 43% of Presque Isle County’s young voters, 51% of Montmorency County’s young voters, and 42% of Alcona County’s young voters stayed home. That’s compared to 38% of young voters statewide and about 29% of all voters statewide.

We find such figures concerning.

Every voter needs to have a voice in the future of the nation, the state, and local communities.

We would argue that young people, especially, need to have a say in the world in which they’ll mature, because they’ll likely have to live the longest with the consequences of today’s decisions, actions, and inactions.

The Secretary of State report cites a number of factors contributing to low youth voter turnout, but the biggest reasons appear to be a lack of information about how to register and how to vote.

Michigan.gov/vote provides a host of valuable information about registering to vote and casting ballots, including information about absentee balloting and links to clerks’ offices throughout the state. The site allows you to type in your name and address to find out if you’re registered, the precinct you live in, and where you can find your polling place.

We all need to cast ballots so that the people we elect and the proposals we approve or deny can truly represent the will of a majority. Young people especially need to get involved to help shape the future they’ll inherit.

We urge every reader to communicate with the young people in their lives about the importance of casting ballots and help guide them through the process of registering and voting. Direct them to Michigan.gov/vote to find helpful how-tos. Tell them they can register to vote all the way through Election Day and can request an absentee ballot if they don’t think they’ll be able to make it to a polling place on Election Day.

And we urge every young person to put in the work. Get yourself registered. Do your homework on the candidates and the issues.

Then get yourself to the polls. Your nation, state, and community need your voice.

— The Alpena News