OPINION: Voting should be a National Holiday for students

By Trinity Agosta

Voting is the simple core of democracy; however, many young people struggle to participate due to the workload of school, a lack of motivation, and the idea that their vote is not important. These barriers create unnecessary obstacles that weaken civic engagement. It is we students who represent the next generation of voters. Making Election Day a national holiday for students would not only boost participation but also aid in instilling the importance of civic responsibility at a fundamental and formative aspect of life.  

As someone who was in the military, this issue matters to me on a personal level. I saw firsthand the sacrifices people make to protect the very rights that many take for granted. The only true passion I saw about voting from people my age was my enlisted friends, when it should be everyone. Therefore, the right to vote is not something that should ever feel out of reach. Ensuring that young people can vote without barriers is a way of honoring the sacrifice of those who came before us and those protecting our freedom and carrying it forward. 

For our generation, the responsibility is even more immense. We are entering as adults into a world plagued with enormous challenges—climate change, technology shifts, and political division. If we do not take ownership of our democracy by showing up to vote, we are giving up our power to shape our own futures. Voting being a national holiday for students would not only make voting more accessible but would help emphasize the responsibility we have as the youngest generation of voters to use the rights we’ve inherited and been given by those before us.  

Making Election Day a national holiday for students is not just about convenience; it is about strengthening democracy itself. And in order for young people to grow into lifelong voters, we create traditions that reinforce the value of participation. For my generation, and for those of us who serve, the message is clear: voting is not only a right, it is a responsibility and privilege.