Some seniors are excited to be involved in this year’s election for the first time.
On November 7th, seniors above the age of eighteen will be allowed to vote. This can be an exhilarating but also nerve-wracking time for those who have never voted before.
Although voting can be a good way of voicing an opinion, some new voters are nervous about casting their vote.
Skyla Esselborn, a senior who is planning on voting, is nervous but also excited about casting her ballot soon.
“It’s pretty nerve-racking, especially being a first-time voter and having to actually look everything up and understand what’s really going on,” Esselborn said. “I’m kind of nervous just because I have my own views and opinions and I know what I think is morally right or wrong and I feel pretty good with my decisions. I think it’s an exciting thing to have the opportunity to vote when you become 18 and I think people are gonna be excited about being able to put their opinion out there”
In this specific election, a lot of students are focused on casting their vote on Issues one and two. Issue one is about reproductive care and issue two is about legalizing recreational use of marijuana over the age of 21.
Ty Finkbine, who is a senior who is working the election polls this year, explains what the issues mean.
“Issue one is just about bodily autonomy,” Finkbine said. “If you vote yes, that eliminates the government’s control over your body so, abortion, transgender surgeries, whatever. It’s very broad and leaves the door very wide open. Issue two is the use of recreational [marijuana]. If you’re of a certain age, at a licensed dispensary you can go and buy [marijuana].”
The process of voting is quite simple, especially with a lot of things being online.
Finkbine will be checking people in and showing them how this process works.
“There’s a tablet, it’s like an Apple tablet with an app on it and essentially a person says ‘Hey my name is xyz, I was born this day’”, Finkbine said. “Then they would give me their driver’s license or valid ID, I scan it and then the iPad has instructions on what to do next, signature, you know”.
Mr. Johnson thinks that starting to vote at a young age will create a routine for the continuation of young adults voting in each election.
“I think it’s one of the most important things you do in terms of establishing habits,” Mr. Johnson said. “if you can get kids right out of high school to participate and vote, the chances of it continuing increase, and I think that’s an important part of being a good citizen”.
While voting is important to voice one’s opinion it is also important to research the issues that are being voted on.
Esselborn advises people to do their homework before they cast their ballot.
“Research a lot about your views and what you think you should vote for and what’s going on with current events and everything,” Esselborn said.
Mr. Johnson says a good source to find information is newspapers.
”Do a little homework before you go and vote on the issues,” Mr. Johnson said. “I think newspapers are still a good way to get local information, especially on voting for city council, school board, and the school board election. I think that’s important to look at the three candidates and decide which ones you want to vote for, but local newspapers are still a good way to get information”
With the responsibility of voting, and participation being essential to the laws that may be put in place, Mr. Johnson believes that everyone should get out and vote.
“I think it’s not important, I think it’s essential to be a good citizen,” Mr. Johnson said. “If you don’t vote, you don’t have a right to complain. I don’t care how you vote, but get out and vote”
Anyone who wants to vote in the next election, there are registration forms in room 222 to pick up and fill out.
