Election 2024: Do Floridians even matter?

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb

If I could bring anyone back to life today it would be Tim Russert. I need the former TV journalist, attorney and popular moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press to come back, so he can somehow explain to the over half a million 18 year olds in our state – who will have the opportunity to vote in their first presidential primary in 2024 – that their vote doesn’t matter.

In 2000, we all (except the 18-year-old voters I’m talking about) watched Tim utter those famous words “Florida, Florida, Florida” during the Bush vs. Gore election. Because of Florida and “hanging chads” (If you are 18 and reading this, Google that), the contest wasn’t decided for 36 days.

However, Florida and its population of over 22 million doesn’t even get a say in the presidential primaries because we’re still hanging on to a 50-year tradition of allowing the state of Iowa (population of just over 3 million) to be the first to tell us who our next president should be. That primary is followed by New Hampshire (population around 1.4 million), then South Carolina (population of just over 5 million).

Florida isn’t even included in Super Tuesday, when 16 states and one U.S. territory hold their primaries. Yep, we are behind a U.S. territory (American Samoa with a population around 50,000).

So, come March 19, 2024, when Florida finally holds its primary, do we really expect anyone to show up to the polls – especially our brand new 18-year-old voters?

I’m no math whiz, but why aren’t the top three most populous states allowed to hold the first primaries? Those states would be California (38.9 million), Texas (30.5 million) and Florida (22.6 million).

To all the 18 year olds, if you are still with me, how does this make you feel? Your elders preach about the importance of voting, especially to you, but don’t you feel a little cheated in the way these primaries fall?

Like you, I’m asking: Why aren’t all primaries on the same day just like the general election? I Googled this question but couldn’t find a real explanation. Seems like it comes down to politics – like everything else.

So, first-time, young voters, why don’t we change this archaic rule? Why don’t you demand that we do, so your voices are heard no matter what state you live in?

The U.S. acts like we are a world leader, but as a European ambassador recently reported to Politico: The U.S. is a “fat buffalo trying to take a nap.”

According to NPR, about 27% of voters between the ages of 18 to 29 cast a ballot in the midterm election in 2022. Apparently, less than half of young Americans between those ages plan to vote in 2024. Do we blame them?

I have voted in every election since turning age 18. It was exciting. I felt like my single vote would actually make a difference, but, sadly, I don’t feel that way anymore, especially in Florida. We will continue to be one of the most populous states, but Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina are telling us to hold their beers.

We can do better. We should do better. Every vote, from a primary to a general election, should feel like it matters. Let’s do it for the 18-year-old first-time voters who have been waiting for their chance to make a difference.

And to you, young voters, please speak up and tell your seniors, like me, to make it better and how you think we should do it. You are inheriting this country. It’s time to make it yours. Plant that tree now.

Melinda Clarkson Isley was born in Fort Myers and is a fourth-generation Floridian.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Election 2024: Do Floridians even matter?