8 Young Americans on Why They’re Voting for the First Time in 2018

Young people are registering to vote at historic rates around the country, so it's official: The Youth Wave is coming. You can power that wave forward by joining DoSomething's Youth Wave Week of Action (September 24-29) to make an enormous impact for National Voter Registration Day (September 25).

Looking for inspiration to vote and to join The Youth Wave Week of Action? Here are eight teenagers on why they're voting for the first time in 2018.

To Elect Officials Who’ll Make Change on Causes We Care About

1. “I want my voice to be heard in who I vote for, and I want gun violence to be taken more seriously, so I plan on voting into office representatives who stand for that. It will be the first election I can vote in so I’m taking it seriously.” - Kayla, 18

2. “I feel we should make our voices be heard and aim to choose the best politicians we can who can better serve us and the country. I believe we should choose politicians who truly care for their people, environment, economy, and overall, the well being for the sake of everyone living here.” - Marybeth, 18

3. “I am tired of these older politicians not doing what is best for the people, and not taking my generation seriously. The government works for us, not the other way around. I’m voting come hell or high water.” - Asia, 18

4. “I want to vote for people who will help advocate for the people in my community. The undocumented. The homeless. The people struggling with mental health. The younger generations and their education.” - Bianca, 18

To Unleash Our Generation’s Power

5. “Being a part of Generation Z, the largest incoming voting group in America, I realized how powerful we are as young individuals in being the powerhouses that can make a decision happen in our favor.” - Daniel, 18

6. “I am part of the next generation of leaders. In order to insure a life for me and my children I need to be aware of the events that happen around me. If I can have a say in the leaders of my nation then I need to use every opportunity I have to elect who I feel will insure that future.” - Nyasha, 18

To Exercise Our Right as Americans

7. “I believe it is an extremely important thing to be able to vote, a thing that many people in the history of America have fought for. It’s a symbol of your own independence and a recognition of your citizenship and value as a person in America that you’re voice is heard and can take a part in determining the future of the country. I always plan to vote because it is important to me, and would be to any American who values the well being of their country, and appreciates the great lengths that have been taken for all to become equal.” - Sereta, 19

Because Together, Our Votes Will Change This Country

8. “Even though my vote is singular in the large mass of votes from the population, I believe it is important for me to vote so I can confidently say 'I took a stand on this,’ and because not voting is compliance and blindly letting decisions be made without your involvement. Every vote counts for the individual, and as a collective unit, all the votes matter together. This is why I vote, to be a part of change.” - Christian, 18

DoSomething.org is the largest not-for-profit exclusively for young people and social change. Our digital platform is activating 6 million young people (and counting!) to create offline impact in every US area code and in 131 countries.