Don't Let Old People Decide Your Future: The Ultimate Guide to Voting.

The Ultimate Power Move: Why Your Vote Matters More Than You Think

Congratulations. You are about to cross the finish line of high school. You’re probably thinking about college applications, trade school, gap years, or just survival.

But there’s another massive milestone looming that often gets ignored in the chaos of senior year: turning 18.

Turning 18 means you are legally an adult. It means you can sign contracts, you might get called for jury duty, and, most importantly, you get to hire the people who run the country, your state, and your town.

Voting is the ultimate "adulting" power move.

I know what you’re thinking. "Does my one vote actually matter in a country of millions?" It’s a fair question. It’s also the question that keeps young people at home on election day, allowing older generations to decide exactly what your future will look like.

If you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re probably on the menu.

Here is why showing up for every election—not just the big Presidential ones—is crucial to your immediate future.

1. Federal Elections: Setting the vibe for the Nation

The President and Congress make the decisions that set the tone for everything. They decide on massive issues that will define your adulthood:

• Climate Change Action: Are we moving toward green energy or sticking with fossil fuels?

• Student Loans & College Affordability: How much debt will you be saddled with?

• Healthcare Access & Reproductive Rights: Who gets to make decisions about your body?

These are the big-picture items. Your vote here is about values and direction.

2. State Elections: The Laws That Actually Hit Home

This is where things get real. State Governors and State Legislatures have massive power over your daily life. They decide things like:

• State College Tuition: How much funding goes to your state university system directly impacts your tuition bill.

• Minimum Wage: The federal minimum wage is just a floor. Your state decides if it should be higher.

• Criminal Justice Reform: How are laws enforced in your state? What are the marijuana laws?

If you care about your wallet and your immediate rights, state elections are non-negotiable.

3. Local Elections: Your Backyard (Literally)

This is the most unsexy part of voting, and frankly, the most important. Mayors, City Councils, and School Boards have more direct impact on your Tuesday afternoon than the President does.

• The Police: Who hires the police chief? Who decides the police department's budget and priorities? Your local city council and mayor.

• Rent and Housing: Zoning laws—which determine what can be built and where—are local. If rent is too high in your city, that’s a local government issue.

• Your Little Brother/Sister’s School: School boards decide what books are banned, what history is taught, and how safe schools are for LGBTQ+ students.

The kicker: Local elections are often decided by a handful of votes. A city council seat can literally be won by 50 votes. Your high school senior class alone could swing a local election. That is actual power.

The "I Don't Know Enough" Trap

A lot of seniors don't vote because they feel intimidated. They don’t know who the County Comptroller is. (Honestly, most adults don’t either).

You don't need a PhD in political science. You just need Google and 20 minutes. Look up a sample ballot for your area. Find the candidates. See what they stand for.

If you truly don't know a candidate, it's okay to leave that part of the ballot blank. Just make sure you vote for the things you do care about.

Your Call to Action

You are inheriting a world with a lot of problems you didn't create. Voting is the first step in fixing them.

1. Register. Do it today. It takes five minutes online in most states.

2. Research. Find out when the next election is (there are elections every year, not just every four).

3. Show Up. Bring a friend. Make it an event.

Don't let other people make the rules for the world you have to live in.