Content Warning: This article contains references to suicide and gun violence.

I grew up in Albuquerque, NM—a city known for its breathtaking sunsets, hot air balloons, and a strong, solid community that truly feels like home. It’s a place I love, but one full of challenges. New Mexico ranks last in education between the states and ours suicide rate it is 1.5 times the national average. Homeless grew up by almost 50% just last year. These aren’t just statistics to me, they’re the realities I’ve watched unfold in my community, affecting friends, classmates, and family.

An experience that haunts me is the day one of my classmates took his own life in my sophomore year. Shock and grief rocked our school. Just a few months later, another friend was killed by a stray bullet. These tragedies could have been prevented if we had stronger policies and leaders that prioritized mental health and public safety. But poor leadership and outdated policies got us here – and that’s why I’m committed to voting in this upcoming election.

My work with New Mexico officials has made me realize how much of an uphill battle we are fighting when it comes to addressing youth issues, especially when policy makers are not focused on the needs of younger generations. As a high school student working in local offices in New Mexico, I researched and developed solutions to problems affecting the people around me. I remember the excitement of finding a project that not only worked, but was feasible for the city to take on. However, when my team and I presented these ideas, the response from the “high ups” often reflected the same message: a lack of resources, personnel, or even interest in addressing these issues.

What I saw was this – with so much focus on electoral victories and lighter issues, those in power often ignored the deeper issues affecting my peers, such as mental health, gun violence and education. These problems are urgent, but solutions are often out of reach. In addition, local communities are often in the dark about what is really happening locally, preventing them from making informed choices about who to vote for. Involving and informing our local communities means we can amplify our voices and represent the specific needs of our community, making it more likely that the projects people need will actually be addressed.

Voting is not just a civic duty. For communities like mine, it’s a matter of survival. The right leadership could mean fewer lives lost, more opportunities and better outcomes for the next generation. However, many of the people around me still do not intend to vote. At Stanford, I see friends and classmates—many of them eligible to vote for the first time—expressing indifference or frustration. Given the political landscape we’re in, I can’t say I blame him entirely.

This election highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with both candidates. Former President Trump Inquiry to Republicans hoping for economic improvement, but his controversial actions — such as incite the January 6 insurrection—and the lack of clear plans to improve key issues like the economy and foreign policy led voters to be critical by him. Vice President Kamala Harris, on the other hand, represents a historic candidacy as a black woman, yet many remain. SKEPTICAL of policies and its effectiveness. It is understandable why many young voters sense disconnected from both candidates, unsure if either candidate fully represents their values.

But even if you feel disappointed, I urge you to vote.

You will encounter problems that seem personal, especially those that you have experienced or seen in the lives of those around you. In this election, the candidates will offer their visions of how to address these issues — and that’s why it’s so important to pay attention to what they’re proposing.

More than that, our vote as students, perhaps MATTERS More. Young voters under 35 represent approx 29% of the national electorate, so we represent a huge voting block of the country. While college students, as a voting bloc, are incredibly diverse, it’s important for the subgroup to stick together and show up at the polls, especially at a time when many of the interests of younger college students tend to diverge from older generations. Economic problems seem to hit our generation hardest, which is often the case affected through the high costs of living and education. Young people’s views on a range of sociopolitical issues (eg abortion, Israel-Hamas conflict and immigration) differ much more than those of other groups.

You may not like either candidate, and you may feel that neither candidate represents your best interests. Regardless – if you don’t vote, you’re essentially allowing others to make decisions on your behalf, whether you agree with them or not. The two candidates are different in many ways; it’s worth looking into their platforms to find one that perhaps you resonate with a little more. It will at least be a small step towards the world you want to see.

Your vote matters, and sitting out only makes the circumstances around us worse.

The clock is ticking, but there is still time. You have the power to decide who to vote for and the ability to create change. Whether you’ve made your choice or are still exploring your options, I encourage you to use the resources available at Stanford to learn more about the election, register, and vote.

Click here to register to vote.