The voter registration deadline is quickly approaching as Election Day is just a mere five weeks away. With highly polarized candidates in a swing state, youth participation is crucial this election season in Pennsylvania.

On Nov. 8, Pennsylvanians will vote for their next governor, U.S. Senator, and some additional representatives. Controversial candidates with contrasting views can transform Pennsylvania’s political future.

Most notably, the gubernatorial candidates Josh Shapiro and Doug Mastriano have conflicting views on every pressing issue including abortion, climate change, the economy, gun control and LGBTQ+ rights. With no moderate candidates, voters are at a fork in the road.

When the winners of this general election have the potential to drastically change our lives, we should have a say in selecting who will do so. Unfortunately, young people often allow older generations to choose their fate for them.

Generation Z and millennials combined made up the largest pool of eligible voters in 2020. However, younger generations were not the largest share of the electorate. In the 2020 presidential election, voter turnout was highest among those ages 65 to 74 at 76 percent and lowest among those ages 18 to 24 at 51.4 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

This means youth ideology is not accurately or proportionally represented. Older generations commonly have different views on many political issues. Generation Z is much more likely than older generations to want an activist government that promotes societal change, according to Pew Research Center. Additionally, Generation Z and millennials have more positive views about same-sex marriage and believe more should be done to prevent racial inequality than their elders.

Not only do college students have different beliefs on the pressing issues, but they also have different opinions on what the pressing issues should be. Decisions regarding student debt, gun regulation, global warming and the cost of living are more relevant to the youth. We will be forced to deal with the consequences of these decisions made by those much older than us for decades to come, so we should have a say.

Many believe their singular vote is insignificant. However, Pennsylvania having no clear political lean grants our votes more weight. For example, in a Luzerne County election summary report from the 2020 general election, Josh Shapiro won the popular vote for attorney general by a mere 274 votes. If a few dozen people voted for another candidate, the election results would be different, exemplifying the significance of each voter.

Other young people have doubts about the American democratic process. According to a Harvard youth poll, most young Americans believe our democracy is either “in trouble” or “failing.” To strengthen our democracy, we must make our voices heard. When we have issues we care deeply about, participating in the democratic process to elect adequate leaders is the most effective action we can take to create change. Politicians make decisions for us, so it is our responsibility to choose suitable ones.

According to research organization Circle, young people report that they did not vote as they missed the deadline to register. Luckily, there is still time to register as the deadline is Oct. 24. Potential voters can easily register to vote online at www.pavoterservices.pa.gov. Wilkes students may also visit the Office of Student Affairs for more information regarding voter registration.

Others, according to Circle, did not know how to vote or were uninformed about the candidates. To learn more about how to vote, visit www.pa.gov to find information about your polling place or how to request a mail-in ballot. Website www.ballotpedia.org can provide information about what candidates will be on your ballot. To find information on candidates, voters can visit each candidate’s campaign websites or social media.

When we are informed about and participate in our government, it becomes more responsive to our needs. This Election Day, vote like your future depends on it, because it does.