5 Reasons why you should vote! by a young European citizen

1 - You may not care now, but you might in a couple of months.

 You may feel that choosing European Parliament members isn't something that affects your life right now.  But while you may not know who or where you will be in next five years, you can be sure that the representants that you can choose now will have a say in the laws that can impact your life in the coming months and years. As in all elections, the vote in these European elections is about choosing your future. When you vote, you choose who makes these decisions and what they represent for the world you want to live in. If you do not vote, you lose your right to complain.

2 – Recognize the influence of the European Parliament. Elected to five years the European Parliament is a major player in the European Union’s decision-making process. And it is the only institution whose powers have grown continuously over the last thirty years. The European Parliament makes big decisions: from how to develop the economy to ensure that the food we eat is safe, from how to reduce youth unemployment to data protection. Your vote gives you the voice to direct EU in the path you agree with.

3 – Abstention is never a very smart decision. In 2014 more than 57% of European voters opt for abstention, but in one of the most important elections in EU history, it is a wrong choice. European Union is based on a respect for fundamental rights and democratic principles and as such, European Parliament deputies are the people directly elected by citizens, so voters must have a say. One of the most common criticisms of European citizens is related to the feeling of a "democratic deficit" and while many of us consider democracy as a given, it also seems to be under increasing danger. Democracy doesn’t work without citizen participation and your vote defends democracy. 

4 - It's easier than ever to be an educated voter. In today's tech world, there is no excuse not to vote because you don't know enough about the candidates. In fact, it will maybe be harder to escape day-to-day political news than be aware. This easy access to information allows voters to form a clear picture of the issues and positions of candidates when voting.

5- You just should! Don´t ignore your right to vote. Speak up, make a choice and be sure to include your polling place in your schedule this Sunday, 26^th of May.

Tânia Alves - volunteer- in the project BCV - Building communities through volunteering - funded by ERASMUS +