Talawanda Students Vote for the First Time

Political signs posted outside polling place in Oxford. (Photo by Ashley Curtner)

Election day was held on Tuesday November 6th, and many seniors prepared themselves to go to the polls for the very first time as a registered voter.

With turning 18, and legally becoming an adult, many responsibilities follow. One of the biggest decisions an 18 year old can make is who they feel should be the president of the United States.

One reason some seniors were so excited to vote for the first time is the fact that their voices are finally being heard.

Senior Spencer Anderson was thrilled to be able to vote. “I feel so proud in being able to participate in the democratic process of this great nation,” he said.  “I’ve waited so long to vote for a real election where my opinion counts.”

With a lot of different viewpoints on both candidates, some were uncertain who would be better in office.

Senior Ben Hines focused his decision on personal influences. “I have been around many types of situations in my life, such as poverty, to cities with rich suburbs, to the lower middle class white country folks,” he said.  “All of these make me have a good perspective on who should be president.”

Some first-time voters cited influence from the many campaign ads in the media. Senior Megan Wise got her influence from her parents and her grandmother. “They believe it is really important, as do I, to go vote,” said Wise.  “It’s one of our duties as US citizens to vote for who will be the leader of our country. We have this right, so we should take advantage of that.”

Other first-time voters feel that voting for the first time causes a lot of pressure.

Senior Meghan Bruder admitted that she felt a little bit of pressure. “With all of the political campaigns and false facts you hear from others, it is a challenge to know who to vote for, but I try to block them out and not allow them sway my decision.”

With the results already announced on almost every news source channel available, senior Nate Lynch predicted it would be a close race in terms who would win. “It was fun to watch as everything came to an end, but I really look forward to normal television commercials again. ”

Seniors have now gone through the experience of voting , where majority are glad that their voices were finally heard and counted for. The next elections won’t be again for another four years in 2016.