Civic Engagment

This building was one I have not seen in years. As I approached my high school steps, my excitement turned to anxiety. On November 4th 2025, I classified myself as something else, I wore the representative sticker with contentment. On that day I became a voter. On the day prior, my motivation struck. Social media applications were flooded with information on political candidates and their campaigns. For several months I scrolled by, uninterested in the messages the hopefuls attempted to convey. This low political morale was shared throughout my household as our votes from previous elections did not contribute to the officials currently in office. It was taught in my household that voting was not a necessary contribution to make in society, and our efforts were best focused on our personal developments, such as attending school and extracurriculars. This sentiment was one that I held since childhood. Upon turning eighteen, it was urged in my high school to register to vote. Several of my classmates began the registration process. My gaze switched from the stack of registration papers in the center of the room to my teacher. Concerned, he asked why I had not commenced filling out a form. Consequently, I regurgitated the same perspective in which I had been taught many years ago. My teacher then placed a form on my desk and said “It wont do any harm”. These words were what I remembered the day before election day. As if it were clockwork, every morning notifications from news apps showed the declining state of this country’s political climate. Each of these articles moved me one step closer to the voting booth. I had been struck by the normalization of the hatred and division in the political world, along with several new laws which kept minority populations suffering, and benefited the wealthy. These laws are what turned my anxiety and disinterest about voting into urgency to enact civic action. Upon entering my old school, I was greeted with a warm welcome. The building was filled with a long queue of people waiting for an available booth. I swiftly noticed that the majority of people in the line did not seem restless or unhappy, however they seemed to have a sense of eagerness. This positive energy was immediately transferred to me. After verifying my identity to the registrar and receiving a ballot, the teacher who handed me the voting application many years ago greeted me. We exchanged words on the public sentiment on civic engagement and how important it is to spread awareness. This conversation opened my eyes even further. Democracy relies on our willingness to take time out of our day to cast a simple ballot. Without the eagerness of the public population, the state of our government would look drastically different. When it was my time to enter the booth, I circled the name with utmost pride. I submitted my vote knowing that even if my desired candidate did not get elected, I did what was in my power to reshape my state into one that is accessible and affordable for everyone. Throughout this semester, the urgency of civic engagement, and its numerous forms such as voting, protesting, and community service has been a lesson which would be beneficial to the greater majority. Voting does no harm, although silence might.