Over the past several elections, young people in Michigan have been placed in the impossible decision of choosing between two major candidates that do not reflect their policy positions.

Despite candidates unwillingness to adopt youth policy positions, youth are still expected to “get out the youth vote” and sacrifice their mental and physical wellness to meet unrealistic electoral goals and strategies. Youth are refusing to accept the prescribed future that has been given to us by elected officials of the two party system. Michigan students in particular are building collective power that is holding school administration as well as state and federal elected officials accountable to liberatory justice policies.

Youth are fighting for their futures, they are organizing for the ability to be empowered members of socially equitable, environmentally sustainable, and economically just communities in Michigan. It is for that reason that they should not have to vote out of fear or obligation but rather vote out of shared collective vision, justice, and hope.

The trap of the two party system is pervasive and will not provide principled solutions to oppressive systems. While we utilize elections as tools to achieve small policy wins, we must think critically about a long-term strategy that allows us to have a true democracy that reflects voter’s priorities and offers choice.