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Why should people vote, and why do so many choose not to do so?

If you think voting doesn't matter, read "If Ya Don't Vote, Ya Don't Matter", published in the Los Angeles Times, October 15, 2006.  Also take a look at the "Why don't we vote?" essay contest. This contest was sponsored by the Center for Voting and Democracy in 1999.  There you can read essays written by young people from across the nation as they attempt to answer the question, "Political participation by young people is plummeting. What changes in our electoral system would increase political participation by young people and why is that important to you and people like you?". 

The PBS' NewsHour, has put up a page linking to reports on youth and political participation. Titled Generation Next, you may explore them at http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/social_issues/gn_toughchoices/

The NewsHour also produced two Generation Next documentaries. You may view them at http://www.pbs.org/newshour/generation-next/documentary/