Voting provides a fundamental act of civic engagement and duty through preserving the contributed due process of democratic institutions that uphold this country. It’s vital for younger citizens just entering the voting pool to express their constitutional right to vote, as their demographic in the population will be influenced most by candidates elected. 

With the contentious nature revolving around the swiftly approaching Pennsylvania Gubernatorial and Senate races, the future of individual rights based in marriage, body autonomy, and voting are determining factors up for debate.

President of the North Penn Democrats Club, Nicole Mattiacci, discerns that these elements inherently affect younger generations the most, therefore these upcoming elections mark no better time to expand voter turnout and let young people dictate such outcomes themselves.

“Whoever controls the senate after this election calls all the big shots around voter’s rights, abortion rights, and LGBTQ rights. They’re all going to be debated and looked further upon after the fall of Roe V. Wade,” explained Mattiacci 

“[The outcome] will hit young people the most in my point of view. The livelihoods of young people and just people in general could be severely affected,” she further expressed. 

While these predisposed matters are in the processes of debate and designation on a national scale, the repercussions of such won’t hesitate to reach persons within our very own community. Threats to marriage equality or access to safe and affordable reproductive healthcare prevalent in some campaigns for the Pennsylvania election hold the capacity to condition future laws and regulations in the state.

Mattiacci plans to mobilize on these pretenses, as she believes these aforementioned campaign values are outdated and should not influence upcoming generations. She wants newly eligible voters to take initiative in their beliefs and use their voice at the ballot box to dictate the ideal future they envision for themselves. 

“It’s important especially in this time of your life to shape your own identity and try to vote based on your own ideals, because at the end of the day, you’re going to be affected most by these campaigns,” emphasized Mattiacci

With her club, Mattiacci is planning a school wide initiative to encourage eligible students to register for the elections this November. The foundations of her efforts are rooted in who, what, when, and why people will be voting who they’re voting for. 

Advertised through canvassing efforts around North Penn High School and the surrounding community, and further publicized through the social media presence of the Democrats Club, Mattiacci and the team have compiled an all-encompassing flier detailing step by step guides on the election process itself, and how to register to play your role. 

Avoiding the possibility for the flier to be a mere guide alone, Mattiacci also wanted it to encapsulate those that came across it through emphasizing the importance of voting as well. 

“It’s really important for people to be informed and know why they’re voting, as it’s not the what it’s also the why,” she detailed.

When a student comes across the pamphlet, they can simply use their phone to scan a QR code that will redirect them to a comprehensive PDF that lists a plethora of voting information. They will find topics surrounding what campaigns they will have the option of choosing, why they should vote for the specific candidates of their choice through detailed and objective pros and cons lists, and how to sign up through a direct link to voter registration websites. 

All information in the flier will be based upon factual information and objective reason, as the primary goal for Mattiacci is to inform eligible voters, not directly sway them.

“There’s just so much information out there that isn’t credible or accurate, so just by getting accurate information with sources it’ll be easy for people to just really understand the nuances of voting and what it entails,” she added.

Someone that is 18 years old by the day of the election is eligible to vote when registered by October 24, 2022. However, if ineligible, Mattiacci encourages volunteering for local campaigns to fulfill your part in helping through canvassing or phone banking, as these methods are a huge boost in striving to uplift voter turnout.

For now, be sure to scan the hallways for a pamphlet and don’t hesitate to register if able.