Recently in the United States, young people have emerged as a more powerful force in the political climate.
“In the 2020 U.S. presidential election, 51% of eligible voters aged 18-29 turned out to vote, a dramatic increase from just 39% in the 2016 election.” Political efficacy involves understanding the political system and believing in one’s ability to influence it.
Arlington County is very connected with politics due to its proximity to Washington, D.C. A significant 22% of families in Arlington work for the government. It is easy to express your interest and get involved in the community because we are so connected to our capital.
Daisy Maxwell is a senior and is president of the Virginia Young Democrats chapter at the school. The club’s main goal is to have conversations about current events and present opportunities to become involved through guest speakers and volunteering for campaigns.
“This year, we are writing postcards and text messages to voters in swing states to help get out the vote for Kamala Harris. We’ll be volunteering at polling sites on election day,” Maxwell said.
“Last year, we put up posters around the school about bills that were being deliberated on in the state legislature. The club meets every other Thursday after school in Ms. Steury’s room (2211). People are welcome to join at any point in the year.”
Maxwell’s political activity does not stay confined to the school; outside of the club, she has primarily worked on the legislative side of politics. She has done considerable work by lobbying with the Gun Violence Prevention Organization “Team Enough” and is currently working with the Virginia Young Democrats on a bill about media literacy courses in schools.
“I used to be really involved in the elections side of politics when I worked as an intern for the state Delegate Adele Mclure during her primary campaign,” Maxwell said. “I would do door-to-door campaigning for her or give out flyers at metro stations, but I’ve stopped doing that. It’s easier to stay involved when you have a set role, and people expect you to fulfill it. I would say I’m motivated by how easy it is to make a difference. I once stood outside a polling site talking to voters for like 10 hours on election day, and it was really tiring, but I found out that night that the candidate I had been campaigning for won by only one vote at my polling site. It’s pretty cool how small actions like talking to one more person can make a difference.”
While Maxwell has become involved in the community, she explains how accessible it is for everyone to get involved if we want to, especially due to where we live. Additionally, social media is a great way to learn about political events in the area. Maxwell urges those to use social media to advocate for causes they believe in and spread awareness.
“I think grassroots organizations are accessible to young people,” Maxwell said. “You can join organizations like our Young Democrats Club or sign up individually on Canvas for candidates you support. I think it’s important that everyone’s voice be heard. Especially as high school students, we have a unique perspective on a lot of issues. When I lobby legislators about gun violence prevention measures it’s difficult for them to hear me talk about school shootings and then argue with me. It’s a different feeling than when adults who haven’t been affected by the issue as much lobby. ”
While Maxwell has become very involved at the school and within our community, she is not the only one. Another senior at the school, Aaron Rafael Lopez, has done his fair share to take advantage of our proximity to D.C.
Lopez is a proud member of the school’s Model General Assembly and Model United Nations chapter, and this past summer went to Virginia Boys State. Two years ago, he worked at the Russell Senate office building for a few senators, and last year, did work with the House of Representatives. He lobbied with multiple bipartisan groups for different bills. Additionally, he was able to attend the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this past August. He was among 15 national 2024 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award recipients. His leadership in the Virginia Chapter of Voters of Tomorrow played a key role in his recognition, which includes a $36,000 college scholarship.
“I do consider myself politically active,” said Lopez. “I just couldn’t say any specific side, I’m pretty moderate. One of my favorite things to do when I work in politics is to try to bring everyone together and try to find some common ground.”
In the future, Lopez wants to attend college and study political science. After schooling, he wants to work in the Capital and work in foreign policy for United States Senators. Eventually, he wants to work on campaigns for both parties and possibly run for office someday.
“I really hate polarization, and I strongly dislike the fact that people are so partisan and they won’t listen to someone with a different opinion,” said Lopez. “I believe the best possible solution to this kind of stuff is when we can come together and create change and legislation in American politics. If you’re not politically active, then there will be no voice for you in any matter of government. You need to have some form of representation in a government because it’s so transparent and open, and if you’re not taking advantage of your privileges as a citizen, then you are just wasting your citizenship, in my opinion.”
While Lopez is very politically active, he understands that not every new voter will be as well. However, he feels that as we get older, get through college, and go beyond that, we will become an incredibly strong voting bloc.
“I do think the political system is very accessible to young people,” said Lopez. “We always have some issues with people who don’t necessarily think young people should be involved with politics, so it’s always you’re too young you’re too young, I’ve never heard in government someone saying you’re too old to do something.”
Lopez believes we will have a stronger impact if we organize ourselves well enough. However, as we mature and as Generation Z settles into ourselves, we will be able to bring the issues that matter to us to the front of American politics. A lot of young people think they cannot make a change individually, but it is when we form ourselves into a block that is when we are able to make a difference when it comes to elections.
“As I get older, I want to get more hands-on,” said Lopez. “I have a lot of family in politics, especially back in Venezuela and Germany, which is where I’m from. Germany is a democratic country, but Venezuela is not anymore. I’ve been learning a lot from them about the importance of protecting liberty and freedom. We need to have as strong of a free democracy as we can. Our country is not perfect, no country is, but we can strive for greater perfection.”
Another opportunity at the school is the Ladies in Leadership Club. Junior Nora Johnson is the president of that club but has also been very involved in the outside community. The club focuses on women in leadership positions across the board. It is currently focused on supporting Kamala Harris’s campaign during election season and then continuing to focus on women in leadership roles.
“Over the summer, I interned for the shadow senator of D.C., I went to senate hearings and took notes for him,” said Johnson. “I also did a lot of constituent work like answering phone calls and attending the D.C. city council meetings. I was doing an internship for an organization called Turn Up Activism to get youth involved in politics, and I also campaigned for Kamala Harris for the Virginia Democrats.”
Johnson wants to go to college to study pre-law or political science and get into campaign management. She thinks it is important to get the right people elected into office, especially with the current political climate.
“I think there are a lot of teens who get their information from social media, and I wouldn’t call it political efficacy, but I do feel like there is growing concern around issues with social media,” said Johnson. “I do think it is accessible to young people, I think especially with social media, there are a lot of resources you can easily sign up to be a part of different organizations, and especially in Arlington, there are a lot of great resources, even booths that come to our school [is] to vote and get more information. My biggest thing to share is to vote with conscience. To the seniors: know your vote does matter whether you think it does or not, you should get out there and vote because every vote counts.”
