When I was a kid, my father volunteered as a precinct captain for the Democratic Party in our neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago.ˇSome of my earliest memories are of tagging along as he went from door to door.ˇHe registered people to vote.ˇIf our neighbors needed absentee ballots, he arranged it. He helped them figure out how they'd get to the voting booth on election day.
He did all this because he believed in the value of each person's voice in the political process.ˇBut it took me years to appreciate what he was teaching me during those walks around the neighborhood.ˇ
Like so many people, I took my right to vote for granted.ˇI never had to march for it.ˇI never knew what it felt like to be turned away while others were told their voice counted.ˇSo when I got to vote for the first time, I did it dutifully - but without any excitement.ˇ
Now I feel different.ˇAnd I hope every young person in this country can learn from me, because what my dad was trying to show me was that voting is not a dry responsibility.ˇParticipating in the political process is challenging, fascinating and fun.ˇ
Many young Americans already know this.ˇDuring the past 19 months, I've traveled to every corner of the country with my husband on his thrilling campaign for the presidency.ˇWe have been dazzled by the young people we've met.ˇOur country is full of bright, curious, creative and passionate young men and women who have an enormous capacity for hard work and a deep belief that a better world is possible.
So far, youth turnout in this campaign has been remarkable.ˇMore than 6 million young voters participated in primaries or caucuses this year.ˇThat's an increase of more than 100 percent since 2004.ˇAnd at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, nearly one in five delegates was between the ages of 18 and 29.ˇˇˇ
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I've seen this youthful energy and optimism before - when I met Barack 20 years ago.ˇ
When we were first getting to know one another, Barack took me to a community meeting in a neighborhood in Chicago where people were working hard to get back on their feet after local steel plants shut down and jobs dried up.ˇThere, Barack gave a talk about his experiences as a community organizer.ˇHe spoke about the gap between the world as it is and the world as it should be.ˇAnd he said ordinary people can narrow that gap if they work together for change.
I fell in love with that idea.ˇIt conveys a simple but powerful truth that is illustrated every election day when people line up to cast their ballots. When we vote, we don't just choose a candidate - we choose to begin building the world as it should be.
For the young woman I met in Colorado, it's a world where she can get the education she dreams of, even though her parents don't have a lot of money. For the men I met in Virginia, it's a world where returning soldiers never have to worry about getting the mental health care they might need.ˇFor the students I met in Iowa, it's a world where investment in clean energy ends our dependence on foreign oil and protects our environment.ˇAnd for the woman I met in New York, it's a world where gays and lesbians can finally live free from discrimination. When we vote this November, we'll be casting our ballots for that world.
I've heard people say, "My vote doesn't matter," "My vote won't count," or, "I'm just one person.ˇWhat possible difference can I make?"ˇBut this year, all our votes matter more than ever.ˇ ˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇ
If you are satisfied with the world as it is, your choice this fall is easy.ˇBut if you believe, as I do, that we can change the world together, please join me in voting on Nov. 4.ˇ
Voting is easy.ˇSo is registering to vote.ˇIt takes just a minute, but it makes a huge difference. The Obama campaign has set up a Web site to help:ˇVoteForChange.com. There, you can register to vote in your state, arrange an absentee ballot or find out if you're already registered.ˇIn some states, you can vote early.ˇOur Web site will help you figure that out, too.
Share this information with your friends, classmates, family and neighbors.ˇRegistration deadlines are coming up in several states, so it's crucial that we act fast and you encourage everyone you know to go to the polls on Nov. 4.ˇ
This year, I'll be voting for my daughters' future and my father's memory.ˇI'll vote for the thousands of regular folks who fought to get me the right to vote. I'll vote for young people across America and the generations of young people who will follow, who will someday look back at this time with gratitude that we summoned the courage to begin building the world as it should be.
