Why does voting matter? For first time and young voters, many have this exact question. According to the Pew Research Center, one of the main reasons that registered voters decided to not vote in the 2016 presidential election was because they felt like their vote would not make a difference or they were not interested (15%).

The panelists, however, focused much of their time on explaining why each vote matters. While their answers expressed various sentiments, the message remained the same: voting means better representation, participation in our communities and the opportunity for a better quality of life. 

“It is not just pride; it is also a duty,” said Chou on the value of voting. “Everything we do and everything we are allowed to do is usually proposed, controlled or suggested by someone who is elected to office. […] The air you breathe, the water you drink, the roads you drive to school, to work, to leisure, the parks that you might enjoy, the city amenities you might have, is all put in place by someone elected somewhere.”  

As the presidential election nears, more focus is being directed towards young eligible voters. According to a Pew Research study in early 2019, “the leading edge of Generation Z (people ages 18 to 23 in 2020) is projected to comprise one-in-ten eligible voters, up from just 4% in 2016, when the vast majority were too young to cast ballots.” A recent poll from New Era Colorado found that 83% of young people are ready to step into their power to vote. 

“What we have seen here in Colorado is that young people are voters,” Hensel said. “We had the third highest turnout rate in the country in 2018. So when you invest in young people, they will invest in democracy right back.”

For individuals like Pierre-Louis, practicing one’s right to vote is important not only in the context of the U.S., but also on a global scale, saying that “the United States is a beacon” for the rest of the world. Pierre-Louis has worked in Bangui as Senior Human Rights Officer for the United Nations where he conceptualized plans to help monitor and investigate human rights violations within Central Africa.

Pierre-Louis explained that other countries around the world consider the United States a model for democracy and that “the whole world is watching” this election. Citing the sacrifices and deaths people have endured to come to the U.S., he explained that the vote represents a chance to make one’s voice heard. 

“Please, whether you like it or not, go out, stand up, use the powerful tools in your hands and cast your ballot,” said Pierre-Louis. “Participate in your country.”

One of the primary issues facing voters, regardless of age, are barriers such as signature verification and election access, and in an age of a global pandemic and growing technologies, disinformation is more prevalent than ever. That is why local and national organizations, like New Era Colorado and Vote.org, are dedicated to providing solid, credible information on how and where to vote. 

Within the City of Boulder, officials aim to promote voter participation by making information more accessible, especially for first time and young voters. This includes maximizing accessibility and security, explained Fitzpatrick. One of the main methods for making voting more accessible is through mailing ballots to Colorado residents, something that first began in 2013, as well as allowing Colorado residents to register to vote through Election Day on Nov. 3.