Eighteen, the age that turns a teenager into a legal adult who can vote, is an age that holds a special weight, especially for people like me who are voting for the first time amidst many uncertainties. Being an eighteen year old during a nationwide pandemic in the middle of a presidential election paves the way for so many truths and untruths; it’s hard to know what to believe. That is why it is so important to perform your own research about the world around you. I did mine and learned a lot about the various candidates’ views about the current issues faced by our society. Those who reflected my opinions on politics and problems received my vote.
On Tuesday, November 3rd, I voted for the first time in a rather historical election. I was nervous, but I was at the same time very excited to have my voice heard. I got in the back of a very long line. People in front of me were supporting their candidate by wearing shirts, hats, and even masks with logos on it. One person even approached me with information on the candidates that they favored; however, I did not need any more information because I had done my research and my mind was already made up. After waiting in line for an hour and 45 minutes, it was finally time to check-in.
I told the poll worker my name and received a white slip. Then I made my way over to the machines, put the white sheet into it and cast my votes. The white sheet came back out of the machine with a listing of my candidates. The final step was to submit that same sheet, which had my submissions into another machine that tabulated the votes. Before I left, I was sure to grab the iconic “I voted” sticker. The push to get out and vote should instead be a push to research and then vote. You should never let someone else’s opinions dictate your own, always do the research so you know the facts and can make informed political decisions.
