The biggest group against democracy is those who don't vote

[YorkRd]

Only 5% of voters under 34 have returned their ballot in L.A. Meanwhile, nearly HALF of all votes cast are by people over 65. Unless you want to let retirees decide the fate of our city, return your ballot by Tuesday and urge your friends to do the same.

Link to tweet

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[Journeyman]

1. I chide young students in my classes over this: Why do you want people my age deciding your world?...

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

3. Chiding your students.

Good.

In 1976, on election day, I was taking classes at my local junior college. In my psych class, the professor leaned on the podium and said, "Today is Election Day. I know that all of you are old enough to vote, and I hope you have or will vote today. But I want to tell you this. That a small turnout favors Republicans, and so if you're a Republican, don't vote."

I almost fell out of my desk laughing. The professor looked at me gratefully. No one else in the room got it.

Some of the criticism to young people about not voting is at least somewhat misguided. How many reading this started voting as soon as they could? And voted in every possible election?

I did not vote the first year I could have, and was somewhat intimidated by the need to register to vote. Which I expect is an issue with lots of people.

It also took me a very long time to understand why I should vote in primaries or various local elections. And I consider myself well informed on these things. It's not as easy or straight forward as it ought to be.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

5. I voted the very first time I had the opportunity

That was in the Democratic primary here in CA in 1976.

I went with Jimmy Carter over favorite-son Jerry Brown.

Had to re-register in the fall as I was at school up in Santa Barbara.

Never missed an election--no matter how small--since I got the franchise.

I vote. Always.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. I am 73.

I am ashamed to admit that I did not vote in 1972, the first year I was eligible. Back then, you had to be 21 to vote, and I was only 20 in 1968.

I have voted in almost every single election since then, including primary elections. A few days ago I cast a ballot in my local primary. I have the good fortune to live in New Mexico, which makes it very easy to vote, plenty of voting places, and they print up the specific ballot you need on the spot. It does not get any better than this.

Many years ago I noticed that states that made it easy to vote had far less voter problems or supposed fraud than those that made it hard to vote. Hmmmm. I wonder why.

[secondwind]

4. 75 here. Have never missed an election.

I vote through the American Embassy here in
Dominican Republic.

[Lunabell]

6. Apparently, they're a too busy keeping up with the Kardashians.

Or filming their next tiktok.

[andricv]

7. They're certainly part of the problem

Indeed

[Celerity]

8. Overall turnout is just 10% so far, and is also lower among people of color than for white people.

That means that unless we step up, the election is going to favor conservative politicians and the failed policies of the past, rather than the changes we need in Los Angeles.

Link to tweet

[betsuni]

9. Why don't they vote?

[Polybius]

10. I didn't vote at 18 either

But I was still a young voter when I voted for the first time.

[JanMichael]

11. I haven't missed many elections since 18.

A few local elections I've missed but I don't think I've ever missed the national. So I did it when I was young and mostly since I've been older. Honestly though what I wanted to see happen politically has never really happened.

Then again I was political science major so poop.