New Voters

New voters are preparing to vote for the presidential elections that are about a week away, on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Early voting will continue until Oct. 30. Knowing how nerve-wracking the experience can be, teachers offer students their advice and get students ready to vote. 

“ 1) vote based on who you are 2) Do your homework 3) Look at the major issues and compare,” Human geography teacher Mr. Hill said. 

Generation Z is recognized as the most outspoken and open generation due to their online activism, the emotional involvement in politics complicates their participation in voting. 

“I find it hard to be involved in politics,” senior Brionna Clause said. “ It hurts to know we voted for [a candidate to] help us speak and they don’t take the topic seriously.”

This upcoming election has uncovered intense emotions due to the human rights issues America has confronted. 

“Reading the things that are happening right now is scary,”  junior AnnaBelle Figueroa said. 

“One day your rights can be taken away or limited because you are a woman, Latinx, Black or LGBTQ+.”

This presidential election is something never seen before due to the social justice issues, and  COVID-19 that has impacted the election in countless other ways. 

“COVID-19 really compounds the whole situation with social justice issues like Breoanna Taylor, George Floyd which polarized America even more,” Mr. Hill said. 

Younger students, not able to vote yet, worry silently about their own issues as they watch their older classmates vote. 

“Trump trying to make new rules for ICE scares me a bit, as some of my family are immigrants,” freshman Javier Alfaro said. “For him to be in office four more years, and as I am 14, I will have to watch those rights be taken away.”

Many are counting on this generation to get in their vote. Get in line before 7 p.m., bring your license that matches your voter’s registration card, and check it is not expired. 

“You can’t just give up,” librarian Mrs. Burris said. “Do whatever you have to do to make sure your voice is heard.” 

Teachers are pushing for students to vote, despite the hardships they confront. This election goes beyond political parties. 

“I don’t think [people] understand that on both sides of the aisle there are variations within the political parties,” Mr. Hill said. “It is discouraging a lot of people.”

Voting based on political parties complicates the process to vote. Teachers advise you to vote on how you feel and not tie your identity to your vote. 

“We are so polarized right now,” librarian Mrs. Hall said. “New voters have this idea that they have to identify as liberal or consrevative. You just have to vote for who you feel will represent your values the best.”

Many young voters gain knowledge on the current issues due to social media and feel a sense of urgency to be involved. 

 “It is mostly important for myself to be involved and do what I can to help and know which communities are hurting,” AnnaBelle Figueroa said. 

However, it is not always easy to know how to navigate politics, make sure to fact check your sources and look at what the other side is saying about an issue. 

 “Before you make a decision on anything you need to validate it,” Mrs. Burris said. “ No matter if it is a rumor or politics, find a credible source and validate it.” 

There isn’t any right way to vote. Voting is a personal matter to everyone, so no one can determine your vote. 

“One of the things I always tell my students is: vote based on your lived experience,” Mr. Hill said. 

As you take initiative and head out to the polls to vote, seek out information and ask for help. 

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” Mrs. Hall said. “The people who are working those places are passionate about voting and voters, so they won’t criticize your questions.” 

Despite how polarizing this election is, keep in mind the severity of voting, as you are choosing who will represent your country. 

“The point of the president is to serve the people and that means all people,” Figueroa said.