Can’t vote in the election this year? We still have power, even without the ability to cast a ballot
Tully | 17 | QLD
It’s election year, which means it’s time for me to put on an even bigger political nerd hat and pester my peers into caring. While my friends and I can’t vote this year, I strongly believe teens have a particular power this election, even without the vote. This is the first federal election in which Millennials and Gen Z voters outnumber Boomer voters. If young people feel empowered by the democratic system and the major parties, this federal election will shape up to be one of the most important Australian elections of our time.
This means young people aged 18-24 need to get involved. Enrol! Research! Show up!
Only 89% of this age range is enrolled to vote, which may seem a lot, but when you think about how marginal some seats are (including the leader of the opposition's) even a couple dozen votes can completely change the outcome.
“Young people feel disillusioned and disempowered from their role in Australian politics, and understandably so.”
Every day, the news tells us of all the horrendous failures of democracy. Young people's concerns are dismissed constantly, and if you’re any type of marginalised, it gets even worse.
When I talk to other young people, the tone of apathy swallows the conversation. But we need to dig deeper than “we just don’t care”. When you think about it, why would you care about something that doesn’t appear to care about you? When you look at it from their perspective, it’s easy to see why there is overwhelming apathy.
The thing is, voting makes change. So much. There is no such thing as a wasted vote, and young people deserve to know that. Spreading the message that your voice, ideas, opinions and feelings matter is the key to seeing a tide-changing youth turnout come election time.
A friend looked me in the eye recently and said, “I just wish I could vote”. Being 17 and knowing we have the knowledge and capabilities to vote, but not the right, sucks. This election will decide where our country is for the entire beginning of our adulthood. Yet, we have no say.
“But I need everyone in this boat to remember one thing: We have power even without the ability to cast a ballot. So, what can we do? ”
Write down what’s important to you and what you’d like to see from the candidates. Voice these concerns by writing an email to the main candidates in your electorate asking them how they plan to address them if elected. Explain to them you’d love to engage with their office more if they are elected. Another route is to even work at the Electoral Commission - while it may seem boring, it’s a job that pays and teaches invaluable knowledge about democratic systems. Better than working at any fast food chain if you ask me!
Starting conversations with family members who are of voting age can make a world of difference. As much as it is difficult to talk to people we love whose views on the world are starkly different from our own, you can try and create an ongoing dialogue, and they might be more willing to vote with you in mind.
Arguably the simplest strategy is to stay informed. Read the news, (the good and the bad), and stay up to date on politics affecting you and the communities you care about at a local, state and federal level.
Register to vote as soon as you turn 16 (or whenever you’re reading this). Sign petitions and get out in your community and build relationships.
2025 is an important year for Australia, and it’s even more important for its young people.
Showing up in droves to the voting booth and engaging in other ways sends a powerful message to the people in power: we are young, yet we are loud, proud, and too important to ignore!