Teens Most Definitely Unprepared to Vote

 Written by: Chantal Ixta

Published on: March 23, 2026

Young voters show a lot of ignorance about who they are voting for as their representatives and about the state of politics in their country. Some believe they are not responsible for staying up to date, yet young adults must educate themselves so they can exercise their democratic responsibility. 

Teens understand that it affects their community, yet choose to stay uneducated on the details of politics. 

“I know very surface-level stuff, and obviously it affects me, but I want to be able to vote with people with morals,” senior Selam Dawit shares. 

It is obvious that people care to a certain extent, but credible news and information may be tedious to access for many. 

“Ignorance harms our community, especially with young voters. People are too lazy to research and identify who they want to vote for and what they represent,” senior Kira Stenson stated. 

Even those who aren’t necessarily interested in investing time in the political world are aware that these problems can affect entire communities, states, and countries. 

“I wouldn’t say I am necessarily interested in politics, but I do believe that it affects us, not just me, but our entire community,” senior Jaeden Aquino provided insight. 

As students approach 18, they may feel overwhelmed with the information they “should” know, which is why it is important for many to have their elected politicians be in line with their personal morals and beliefs. 

“I want to be able to vote for people with morals that align with my personal feelings,” Dawit states. 

Voting should not be seen as a daunting task for new voters, but rather a right to exert, as democratic participation will allow people in office to make the changes they want to see. Students who are 18 should look forward to any upcoming elections, and most importantly, educate themselves before casting their vote!