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It is far from a recent phenomenon and has been a constant struggle for politicians who are looking to get elected.

Younger people are the least likely demographic to be registered to vote. And, as a result, their voices are rarely reflected in election results.

This is not only the case in the US, but it also appears to be a global occurrence. Making up almost a third of those who are eligible to vote, younger generations have the power to make a substantial impact on the outcome of elections. So why don’t they?

Political analysts have speculated over this and have determined that there are a few key factors that impact on the younger generations’ ability to register for voting, alongside reasons why they don’t or won’t.

Reason 1- Registering and voting can be tricky.

As laughable as this sounds for many adults, there are many variables that can make it tough for younger people to register for voting.

For instance, across the US, a significant proportion of people aged between 18 and 21 are undertaking further education at universities. And, with many of those universities being outside of their home states, it makes it more likely for them to miss the registration deadlines, and as a result, they lose their vote.

This is not the only issue many younger people face when it comes to making their political views heard. There is the option for people to register for an absentee vote, which allows younger people who are away from their home state to vote by mail. However, setting this up is not always straightforward, and the reasons for a person applying for an absentee ballot may be rejected.

In the 2016 Presidential election, many states had a high rate of rejected absentee ballots, with well-known swing state Michigan reporting nearly 7,000 rejected votes. A study which examined the electoral outcome of 2016 found that 2.5% of first time voters who tried to vote by mail-in ballots had their votes rejected, compared to 1.3% of returning voters. Even more alarming was the high percentage of BME voters in the rejected ballot group.

So, with more younger people being away from their home state, and the higher rate of rejection for first-time voter ballots, it is not as simple as walking into a polling station and marking the box for many of the younger generation.

Reason 2 – Disillusioned

Younger people are often described as cynical by the older generations, but it seems that this generational divide has a substantial impact on their political involvement.

Many election candidates are defined as ‘baby boomers’ due to their age, and this creates a barrier in the value system; older people do not have the same concerns as the younger generation, creating an overall attitude of apathy towards politics from those in the 18-29 age group.

Indeed, a study conducted by Harvard University concluded that concerning voters aged 18-29, a meager 16% felt that the elected officials of the baby boomer generation cared about their age group.

Simply put, younger people feel that their voices are not being heard and that the establishment is inherently biased against them. With younger people becoming more vocal about issues like global warming, student loans, and healthcare and the seeming lack of resources being put into these areas by those in power, younger groups often feel that politics is simply not a system designed to help them. Hence the lower numbers of younger people at polling stations.

Reason 3- Access to information

When younger people attend university, they often find it is easier to discuss their political views with others in an open setting.

And herein lies the problem; in the US, if you are from a lower socio-economic background, or you did not achieve the grades required to attend university, you are less likely to be interested or to be involved in politics. While many US universities promote political debates and have access to a wealth of information related to party manifestos, those who left high school and are now in employment are not as able to access that information.

Political analysts have theorized that one way to ensure all younger people become more involved in politics is to encourage such talks with them in high school and to provide information on manifestos at an earlier age. After understanding the mechanism of the effect of buy generic viagra Viagra on the body and studying the contraindications, a man should carefully read the information about side effects that are possible when taking this pill. Although they are not legally allowed to vote, this is more likely to spark interest and allow more in-depth knowledge of how their votes really can make a difference.

In conclusion, until all younger people can access the required information to make an informed choice about their vote, and they feel their voices are being heard, it may be a long time until younger people have a truly significant impact on the outcome of any election.

Alan Rosca is a securities lawyer with Goldman Scarlato & Penny, P.C. and an adjunct professor of securities regulation at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in Cleveland, Ohio.