JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The appeal to young voters continued Wednesday night with a virtual call to talk about why voting matters.
At just 21 years old, Jacksonville native Deyona Burton is on the frontlines advocating for policies, registering voters and even served as a former intern on Capitol Hill.
"My peers and I have made it clear that we will be the generation of tangible change," said Burton, National Programs Director for College Democrats of America.
Burton now works as a policy consultant in Washington D.C., and is looking forward to being able to vote for the first time in this upcoming Presidential election.
"I can make a difference simply by casting my ballot, simply by registering to vote simply by showing up to the polls, bringing my friend, my neighbor, my parents. I’m making a difference," she said.
According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), 40 million people who are considered Gen Z (18-27) will be eligible to vote in this election.
Deyona wants to educate other young voters, which is why she and two other young adults from Jacksonville, Rodney Wells and Winston Seabrooks, spoke on Wednesday night's Youth Perspective Panel during the 'Saving Our Democracy' virtual call with more than 100 people on the line.
"A lot of that is conversations and being willing to meet people where they are," said Burton. "Being willing to talk about it with your friends being willing to do more than tweet, more than just put it on your story."
Speaking on panels, canvassing and posting on social media are just a few of the many things Deyona said she'll continue doing to help young voters get to the polls.
"I know we’re going to be okay because my peers are ready our colleagues are ready. Everybody is ready and so am I. My only question is, is the country ready. Is the world ready?" she said.
Studies show the top issues on young people's minds are inflation, climate change, education and gun reform.