On my 18th birthday, the first thing I did was check my voter registration status. This November, I cannot wait to be able to cast my vote, advocating for the change I want to see in America.

I remember being in 8th grade, watching the 2020 election votes come in, constantly refreshing news sites to see which states flipped and how many votes were counted. Watching the future of our country go back and forth as the votes came in was terrifying, as I felt like my freedoms as a young teenage girl in America were at stake. Legislation surrounding my bodily autonomy, climate change, and education were being determined by little blue and red shapes on my phone screen.

As I kept up with the electoral college status, I felt like I was merely an observer, witnessing events unfold that were completely out of my control. After the 2020 election concluded, I distinctly remember taking a deep breath and feeling at peace for the first time in days. The anxiety and fear in my mind dissipated as I refreshed Google a final time, revealing Joe Biden as the winner. Watching videos on TikTok of cities nationwide celebrating Biden’s victory filled me with joy as our large communities finally came together after the immense separation the election brought forth. Watching these celebrations online made me excited for the time I could contribute to outcries of joy and since then, I have been anticipating the day I can cast my vote.

I jumped at the first voting registration opportunity I got, pre-registering when I obtained my driver’s license at 16. Two years ago, the 2024 election felt like a century away. But even then, I understood the importance of my voter registration. Events like the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, a ruling made the summer I turned 16, reaffirmed its significance. Watching America’s freedoms unfold and crumble in real time made me keep my voter registration at the forefront of my mind, especially as a minority group disproportionately affected by the Supreme Court’s decisions. I was not only hurt by Roe’s overturning, but angered at America’s voters and government for failing women nationwide. With the abolition of Roe v. Wade, I worry about women’s access to birth control and all the other medical resources Planned Parenthood offers.

Now at 18, I am an official registered voter. Compared to when I was in middle school, my presidential debate watches look a little different. I now keep up with the presidential race through social media and news articles. I especially listen and contribute to my peers’ discussions of political events, as I feel I bear a responsibility to be well-educated when I vote, since many of my peers cannot yet do so. A sense of fear runs down my spine when I read Donald Trump’s racist and blatantly untrue statements during the presidential debate. The misinformation Donald Trump spewed about immigrants and American prisoners astounded me as I realized we are terrifyingly close to electing him into office once again. Though I still feel concern and worry, there’s now a strong sense of urgency, knowing that as Americans, we have the power to protect our rights and freedoms.

Even as a Californian, who is constantly told my vote “doesn’t matter,” I could not disagree more. The mindset that predominantly blue- and red-state voters’ registration and ballots do not matter fosters a lack of urgency, when in fact voting could not be more important. Everyone’s ballot is sacred and meaningful– no matter what state you live in. Our democracy is built on the voices of all its citizens, not just those in swing states. That is why I have recognized my right to vote as a privilege and power. 

I’m determined to make my voice heard in our divided nation, and my ballot is my way of demanding the change I want to see. To anyone who cannot vote this election cycle: do not stop educating yourself. Elections affect all of us, regardless of age. Just because you cannot vote doesn’t mean you can’t make your voice heard. Write to local officials, keep up with the news, and sign petitions. I urge any other young adults to do the same as I have. Register to vote and send in your ballot because as one we might be small, but together we wield the most power to be the change we want to see in America.

Holly is a senior and a guest contributer at Spyglass. This is her first year contributing to Spyglass after years of being an avid lover and reader. Instead of doing her Westridge homework, you can find her stress baking, watching movies, or playing the New York Times games.