Searcy, AR (LP) — The 2022 midterm elections saw the second-highest turnout of youth voters in the past thirty years. These “youth” voters, ages 18-29, cast twelve percent of votes in the midterms. Eight million young Americans were eligible to vote this year.
Senior Briley House exercised her right to vote for the first time this year. Briley turned eighteen in January of 2022 and registered to vote just four days after her birthday. She utilized a resource at school to help her register. “I filled out a voter registration paper that Mrs. Edelmann printed out for me, and I mailed it in,” said House. Briley received a voter ID that had things such as her name, district, and address on it. She lives in Higginson, so she went to Higginson City Hall to vote on Election Day. “It was simple. The first person you meet will verify your address, name, and ID. Next, they print off your voter information on a strip of paper. You then go to a booth and insert that paper in there and your information will pop up. You just follow the directions,” said House. Briley plans to vote in future elections. “I think it shows a good example of the basic democracy of America. It shows how we as Americans show our patriotism to our country,” said House.
Senior Vivi Edwards turned eighteen in September. Shortly after her birthday, Edwards filled out a voter registration form at the White County Fair. Just a week later, the form was sent back to her because she accidentally missed a required box to sign. “I signed it and mailed it back on the last day I was able to register, but the form didn’t make it back to the office in time for me to be officially registered. I actually ended up getting my voter registration confirmation card in the mail the day after the election. I thought that was pretty funny,” said Edwards. Though she was unfortunately unable to vote in this election, Edwards plans to vote in the future and encourages her peers to do so, too. “Educate yourself on who you vote for before you vote for them. Some people, especially young adults, are easily influenced by others around them, and they would vote for anybody they are told to vote for without knowing anything about the candidates. Be above average, and do your research. Know what you are advocating for, and make sure it’s what you believe in as an individual,” said Edwards.
The 2022 midterm elections were predicted to bring a “red wave” throughout both chambers of Congress. However, because of the historic youth voter turnout, Democrats were able to hold onto the Senate and almost hold onto the House. This instance and the results of the 2020 presidential election are evidence that the youth vote is highly impactful and influential.
