Why it Matters: Parkland shooting survivors on what's driving them to vote originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com

This election, "Good Morning America" asked Americans to share with us: "Why It Matters." We want to know what issues are inspiring people to head to the polls and participate in our democracy this year. Here, survivors of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, share what matters most to them.

The issue: gun violence

For Emma Gonzalez, 18, who graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school in June, gun reform is a very close-to-home issue.

"This election the issue that is closest to my heart is gun reform," Gonzalez. "Every day, 96 people die in this country due to gun violence."

Gonzalez and her classmate, Delaney Tarr, survived the harrowing Valentine's Day massacre at their high school in Parkland, Florida, when a gunman slaughtered 17 people with an AR-15-style weapon.

Many of their friends, however, did not.

Many of the teens who are eligible to vote for the first time in the upcoming midterm elections have turned into activists, fighting for stricter legislation on guns to help prevent future tragedies, and canvasing to encourage fellow first-time voters to make their voices heard.





PHOTO: Emma Gonzalez, a survivor of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting, opens up about why it matters to get out and vote this year for 'GMA.' (ABC News) More

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"It's important to vote because that is what our country was built on: the concept of having a choice," Gonzalez added.

Without voting, our local, state and federal representatives may not stand up for the issues you want them to, Gonzalez noted, adding that "if we aren't accurately represented, then we're just going to keep having protests and riots."

Voting is vital because, she said, "If we vote people into office that won't cause problems for us, we can keep living healthy, and happily. That's the whole point."

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Gun-violence prevention is 'literally life or death'

PHOTO: Delaney Tarr, a survivor of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting, opens up about why it matters to get out and vote this year for 'GMA.' (ABC News) More

Tarr, 18, told "GMA" the issue of gun reform and legislation, which is what's driving her to the polls, as "literally life or death."

"This is not just an issue for right now, this is an issue for our future, this is an issue for our children," added Tarr, who will be voting for the first time. "If we don't vote for our future than our country is at risk."

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