Why College Students Should Vote
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Exercise your right and responsibility
- The right to vote is a bedrock principle in a democracy and electoral participation is an essential civic duty. While many governments around the world deny citizens the power to elect their leaders, the American system provides one the opportunity to select their political representatives -- the sign of democratic legitimacy.
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Shape the political agenda
- Are you passionate about a particular political issue? Learn about candidates' views on the social, economic, and environmental issues that are important to you and use your vote as a call for action. For example,
- Student loans, Pell Grants, and work-study are all federal programs. Your vote for the president and congressional representatives means you have a say in how those programs are shaped for years to come.
- Your vote for Governor and state representatives will affect state aid to you and to your school. State universities and colleges rely on funding from taxes to support the services they provide students.
- Are you passionate about a particular political issue? Learn about candidates' views on the social, economic, and environmental issues that are important to you and use your vote as a call for action. For example,
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Your vote MATTERS
- Too often, many students feel that their vote does not matter. But recent elections show that outcomes can be decided by a handful of votes. If you do not vote, your voice is not heard. Moreover, college students have the potential to be a key constituency in every election. With millions of college students eligible to vote, your collective voice can make a significant difference.