“Every vote counts. Whether you see it or not…,” said Rachel Smith, a USF undergraduate studying mass communication.

According to Hillsborough County Supervisor of Election Official, there was a 40 percent turnout of voters of the ages 18-25 and 44 percent turnout for ages 26-30 during this year’s mid-term election.

Comparing to 23 percent of the ages 18-25 and 29 percent of the ages 26-30 of young voter turnout in 2014, as the election official specified via email. 

Smith said this past mid-term election result was a significant difference of younger voters being active within the county than four years ago.

“This affects our values… The way we see things, the way we behave,” said Smith. “People go off what their parents say than what we think.”

Some millennial voters do understand the issues that are causing the U.S. not to “be great.” 

“We as millennials… your vote is your voice! Your voice is to have a say in everyday decisions that made by your different representatives for your life and community. Why wouldn’t you vote?” said Jordan Pride, the former State-Wide Data Manager of NextGen Florida. 

Millennials have made a significant historical change of this year’s mid-term election. Not many expected a great turnout that will influence and gave an ability of power to several people in the U.S. House and Senate offices to better our country. According to Circle – The Center For Information & Research on Civic Learning And Engagement, 31% of millennials of the ages 18-29 voter turnout made an impact of the 2018 mid-terms, compared to 21.3% in 2014 as younger voter turnout at the time. 

Pride also touch based on how millennials have a voice that wants to shape the future of politics that also reflects some of the policies on climate change.

“If we don’t start acting on climate change that is happening… Then we won’t have an earth to orbit in or to live in,” Pride said. 

It is vital for millennials to continue to vote in their community, county, state, and country that will pave the way for them to strive better for their future. Racial diversity has changed the mindset of this country, as millennials are toward for a better equally liberal for a diverse society. Throughout this year, the U.S. had issues with many massacres of gun violence with school shootings, public areas, and among other in counters. Voting is essential to help this great nation to view all aspects for the citizens of the U.S.

“We need someone who shows millennials that we can all co-exist. We need someone to bring diversity… Someone who has empathy and sympathy,” said Smith.

In a year in a half, will be the next presidential election, which means that it will be a buzz kill for many to vote a new leader or keep President Trump of the free world. In 2016, a majority of the votes for Hillary Clinton were less from the millennials. This generation wants someone that follows and believes the values of a diverse society.

“We need someone reasonable. I think we forgot what politics was all about,” said Pride.

For more information about millennial voting numbers in Hillsborough County, visit votehillsborough.org.  

Contact Jonilda Francois at JFrancois2@student.fullsail.edu or 

Follow on Twitter: @jonilda_f