Many Asian Americans don’t vote. I will so our California communities can be heard

Over the years I’ve heard one argument repeatedly: What’s the point in voting if my vote doesn’t matter?

If you complain about the political state of the world but choose not to vote, your opinion alone won’t change anything.

When I first got into civic engagement, I saw the fury that other organizations like my own had when it came to battling policy makers. It took a local coalition three attempts to get the Sacramento Children’s Fund on the ballot two years ago, which directed a share of cannabis revenue to youth programs.

It amazes me how groups of nonprofit organizations can come together and agree to fight for a cause that benefits them to achieve their goal. This act of cooperation inspired me so much, seeing the commitment of nonprofits with little funding and support. 

In July 2022, I participated in a Hmong Innovating Politics youth organizing institute, consisting of workshops on community involvement, political education and cultural guidance. At a young age, they taught me that voting has a tangible impact on policies.

I couldn’t do much at the time since I was too young to vote, but I still wanted to do my part and affect social change. So I did what I could, speaking to Sacramento City Council members about youth advocacy, canvassing neighborhoods and talking to voters about the midterm elections.

As a first-time voter and young adult, I urge people to vote to initiate the change society needs. In my community, what we need is consistent Southeast Asian political involvement. 

There are a vast number of Southeast Asians in California who are either green-card holders, unable to vote because of a language barrier, or disinterested in voting because we are predisposed to feeling unheard. 

Hmong Innovating Politics has played a big part in inspiring our community to go out and make a change, and to demonstrate that even though our community is small, we have a voice that is still loud enough to interpret our rights. 

The determination that these groups showed while advocating for the Sacramento Children’s Fund gave them the confidence to confront policymakers and persuade voters. Even though it was a tough fight, we won. We voiced our perspective over and over again. 

Like advocacy groups fight for change today, activists fought for the ability of our votes to matter historically. When young people choose not to vote, it squanders the potential that was created for us.

If we, as a community of adolescents, come together and make our political imprint in democratic representation, we can make the government a safer institution for our children and future generations. Young voters are only one-third of the electorate but 100% of the future. That makes us ideal advocates for transformational politics. 

If you want something badly, you must choose to step outside your boundaries. There are so many angry and passionate people who are vigilant about voting rights, who do the most work in ensuring equality and fairness in our voting system. Not voting downplays the hard work that’s being overseen by these people. People of color and women weren’t able to vote for centuries until activists protested and risked their lives.

As someone who’s been involved with civic engagement at a young age, I’ve learned that it is important to encourage others to fight for the things that matter most. The political atmosphere has constantly been a battle, and even though it can feel like you’re not doing anything when you vote, you become part of a movement electing change in our country.

I intend to vote — for every reason in the book — to initiate that change, no matter how hard the battle for it might be.