Mayor Bill de Blasio told students at Medgar Evers College in Crown Heights Monday that to shape their own futures, they should go out and vote on Election Day.

"If you no longer vote, what happens is the status quo gets reinforced," de Blasio told the students in a speech at the school, which is named after a civil rights leader who fought to end segregation and gain voting rights.

"The forefather of this school, Medgar Evers, fought for the right for us to vote, and I'm here representing just to uphold his legacy," said student Paulina Tisson-Cox.

To many in the audience, this election is a defining moment.

"Our voice makes a change, and I'm just really happy to be a part of that change," said Alison Seales, 20, who is voting for her first time.

Sakia Fletcher, another student, says she was looking for ways to get her peers to go out and vote on Tuesday, especially coming from a family that did not place an emphasis on politics.

"I come from a background that we didn't necessarily think it was important for us to vote," Fletcher said.