It is 2020, and one of the biggest, let alone important, presidential elections is taking place. Many young people will be of voting age and will be able to use their voice in an election that will certainly make history. It is crucial for everyone, especially young voters, to hit the polls or send in an absentee ballot this November.

The future of our nation, lives and freedom is at stake, which is why it is crucial to use our constitutional right on Election Day.

Generation Z is the latest group to attain the ability to vote after reaching the necessary and required age. Yet, many are not aware of the importance resting on their shoulders in terms of the 2020 election.

The millions of people who belong to Gen Z have experienced an unprecedented landscape unlike any other generation.

From the constant devastation occurring everyday, whether it be in the form of another mass shooting, drastic damages due to climate change, terrorist attacks, a struggling economy, countless videos of police violence, fighting for basic human rights or even a global pandemic, the young people of this country have carried the burden of arguably one of the hardest times in America’s history.

Because of these experiences, the need for Gen Z individuals to use their voice for change is critical in order to alter who holds the highest seat in our government.

According to the Pew Research Center, Gen Z, Millennials and Gen X outvoted the older generations in the 2018 midterm elections. Baby boomers and older generations have been known to be the prominent demographic in elections, which usually keeps the same politicians in office. Although the change has been slow and younger people have been showing up at the polls in the last two elections more than before, their presence has ever been so necessary.

Now is the time for Gen Z to finally show how much their opinions matter. By voting, they will help fix the issues that their generation has had to endure for almost two decades.

According to NPR, there will be about 24 million Gen Z-ers eligible to vote in November. They are all born after 1996 and are the most diverse and digitally- bound generation in the history of the United States. Therefore, they have various issues they would like to fight for and will not hesitate to make the difference in our nation.

Most likely, a top issue of concern consists of whether or not the president that will be in office for the next four years will be an activist and contribute to helping fix our broken and divided country. Other issues that Gen Z-ers are potentially reflecting upon prior to casting their votes include basic human rights for all people, no matter their race, gender or sexual orientation.

There are several other issues at play that voters will be deciding upon. Some include funding to save the environment, continued pandemic response, potential healthcare reform, gun control laws, police reform and immigration policies. These hot-button issues only encompass a fraction of deciding factors for where to place one’s vote.

There are many other topics Gen Z individuals are primarily concerned with before making their final decision on who to vote for in the 2020 election; however, no matter their choice, it is imperative that the millions of young people show up at the polls, and vote like their future depends on it.