Getting the vote out: David Shively talks elections

On Sunday evening, Girls State welcomed David Shively to the University of Nebraska--Lincoln ballroom to speak about his job as Lancaster County Election Commissioner and the voting trends of younger generations.  Through his experiences, Shively noticed younger age groups tend not to vote, despite the fact they are registered. 

Registering is easy for newly 18-year-olds.  County offices have made it easier for people to register to vote, according to Shively.  New systems allow young adults to transfer their registration to make it simpler for them to continue voting. Shively expressed that it is important for Girls’ State citizens to encourage voting among their peers.

Although, most young adults are registered, many choose not participate in smaller elections, if any.  On the Lancaster County election on May 7th, a mere four percent of adults aged 18-24 went to vote.  Because of this, younger people’s interests are not being expressed in their local elections. 

by Kameron Shelley, KayLee Flower, Gabby Feldner, Stephanie Alfred and Kaitlynn Thomas