With the midterm elections in the rearview, we can now look at the demographics a little closer.

Voter turnout decreased nationwide compared to the last midterms, and this can only tell us how the future may look.

The sad fact is, less people are voting every election. The voting turnout for millennials, which are people aging between 18 and 29, is much lower than the national percentage of people.

The 2010 midterms saw only 23 percent of millennials show up to the voting booths, according to Harvard University research.

The reasons for this pathetic turnout could be a variety of things, and researchers around the country have tried to figure out the main concern.

Voting is an extremely important right that all Americans should exercise. There are countries out there that don’t even have free elections or any form of democratic system.

Surely the people of these countries would love to see a ballot in their hands, yet most Americans remain absent during voting day.

As for millennials, who make up 10% of the population, the results speak for themselves.

We think one of the problems is outreach from the parties themselves. In this digital and very outgoing age we live in, it couldn’t be easier to educate and get the attention of young Americans through social media platforms.

Obama and the Democrats made strong efforts trying to connect to millennials in both 2008 and 2012, the Republicans not so much. Even though they scored big on Tuesday’s elections, they still lack connection to young Americans, Black Americans, and other minorities.

Both parties need to educate young voters and give them reasons to show up at the polls instead of just recruiting them to join their side.

We don’t want people shading in random bubbles next to names of candidates who will potentially run this country because they don’t know what they’re voting for.

A small amount of students are able to register for voting, but voting is a privilege we should all take advantage of for the rest of our lives, starting as soon as we can.

If someone does not vote, they’re choosing to abide by the majority of what voters choose. At that point there is no room for criticism from those who don’t participate.

If you want to see change in this country, take an hour of your day every two years to go to your local voting station.

Everybody’s vote matters, and even us young adults need to get involved.