OUR VIEW: No matter the political beliefs, it’s important to get educated and vote.

Learning about and understanding politics and life as a citizen is a crucial part of the transition into adulthood. At the young age of 18, we are all allowed to vote. We get to choose who runs our government at local, state and national levels. That’s a huge deal — yet only 50 percent of citizens ages 18-29 voted in the 2016 presidential election, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.

Young people have different perspectives and ideas than those of the older generations. Allowing us to voice our opinions on most national issues can open and move the political world forward — which is not only good for society, but necessary. That means we, as eligible youth voters, need to get educated on the issues and vote.

We stress the phrase “get educated” because voting without any semblance of knowledge about the political beliefs and/or political party we support is just as bad, if not worse, than simply not voting at all. It’s also incredibly important to know at least a little bit about what’s going on in the political world, regardless of political party affiliation.

With Trump’s State of the Union address airing today, consider his message and listen to what he’s telling us. Fact check when you can, read up on his policies and decide if he’s someone worth supporting for the next three years — the power is in our hands.