Every four years in the United States, people who had previously no interest in politics suddenly become political “experts” and involve themselves in the civic process. However, what most people don’t realize is that if they really seek change in policy, they don’t need to wait four years to give input to the government.

In fact, the election process in this country happens almost every year, just in different levels of government.

Because of the sensationalism in the media surrounding the presidential elections, local, federal and state government midterm elections are often portrayed as less important.

According to the Pew Research Center, 57.1 percent of the voting-age population casted ballots in the 2008 presidential election, while two years later only 36.9 percent of the voting-age population voted. Moreover, in 2012, when the most recent presidential election occurred, the number jumped back to 53.7 percent.

The study also suggests this trend grew as a result of  the 1824 presidential election dispute between John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson, which refocused the parties to devote their energy and funds to secure the position of president.

However, despite this trend, if the youth of today truly want to have a voice in governmental procedures, they should focus on bringing attention to local, state and midterm elections.

Although the president and executive branch do hold significant decision making power, this country is still a federal republic with a legislative branch decided by the people of each state. Additionally, this distinct characteristic of federalism amplified through the Tenth Amendment endows the people of a state with the power to change and implement policy for themselves. This is what allows different states to have varying marriage, drug, tax and health care policies depending on the what the state and its citizens want.

With the state and local government’s power overlooked because of the current focus on 2016 presidential election, students and youth who look to change public policy should involve themselves in local and midterm elections and especially in the upcoming 2014 Minnesota legislative and gubernatorial elections.