Simply put, young people must show up to vote this May.
In November, Newsweek reported youth vote Texas rose 508 percent over 2014, with the marquee race for the U.S. Senate between Ted Cruz, Beto O’Rourke and Neal Dikeman attracting much of the attention. Young voters cast many ballots this year and were just one of several demographic groups that made turnout go up this year.
As we head into the municipal elections in May and any bond elections or state constitutional elections in November 2019, I have to wonder, where is the local youth vote? People are interested and engaged right now like I have never seen before in local government. Will young people show up and make their voices count this year?
At least two declared City Council candidates are under the age of 40. It is possible that several other younger candidates for seats on the City Council, Amarillo College Board of Regents and Amarillo Independent School District Board of Trustees will show up to run. Even if they don’t, young voters shouldn’t stay at home. This is our city and the least we can do is vote to make sure our city is going in a direction that works for everyone and not just the special interests.
So, please, don’t let groups like Amarillo Matters decide the future of your city. Young voters must make a difference this year, but so should all voters, regardless of age. Please get informed, get empowered, and go vote. Amarillo is counting on you.
-Thomas Warren III, Editor-in-Chief
