Elana Jaffe and Mindy Oshrain: Votes matter, millennials

Regarding the Sept. 24 news article “When will millennials start liking Hillary?”: Millennials are cited as being dissatisfied with the political system.

Their concerns are valid: institutionalized racism, stringent abortion restrictions, lack of living wages and unregulated banks and corporations. These issues have continuously plagued our country, and while there has been progress, it moves slowly and is not equal.

So, for those who are milliennials, what’s the best way to stand up for what they believe? Some believe it’s a vote for Jill Stein or Gary Johnson. Some believe it’s staying home on Election Day. Our country has been there, done that.

In 2000, votes for third-party candidate Ralph Nader elected George W. Bush. His Supreme Court nominees gave us Citizens United and overturned parts of the Voting Rights Act. We began the Iraq war. Financial deregulation led to the 2008 crash.

When 40 percent of America will vote for a man who spews racism and sexism, incites violence and believes climate change is a hoax, no one can afford to throw away a vote in protest. Every vote matters. Our system may be imperfect, but don’t allow disillusionment to lead to disengagement.

This story was originally published October 1, 2016 at 4:14 PM with the headline "Elana Jaffe and Mindy Oshrain: Votes matter, millennials."