Every news outlet and political candidate in America is trying to tell you what to think, who to vote for, what to care about and how to support the United States through this tumultuous time. As a first-time voter, I am confused.
Where are the best places for information? How credible is the information coming from political candidates? What about familial ties to parties – or lack thereof?
It’s all really difficult. Scary, if you will. And the only people who can truly understand every single unknown are the first-time voters. The young people who want to make a change but do not see how they possibly can.
To make the stakes all the more paralyzing, the 2024 presidential election will end with a historic result.
The American people will either elect their first female president or will have the second president to serve two non-consecutive terms, second only to Grover Cleveland.
As a first-time voter, I feel the magnitude of this election.
The air seems to be charged with elephants, donkeys and snakes masquerading as either. And sometimes, I don’t know where the cobras meet the trunks or tails.
For as much as we could spend this time concerned and fearful of the outcome, doom and gloom will not get us anywhere, so take heart, for the sake of our country and our elections. America will withstand the polarization plaguing us as we have for the last two centuries.
The focus must be on the future: spinning forward this situation to set up America with the best possible future to overcome our current challenges.
If you believe that Donald Trump will do that – then show up to the polls for him. If you believe Kamala Harris will – show up to the polls for her. If you believe a third-party candidate will do that – show up to the polls for them.
Do not assume that your cause is lost because your candidate is doing poorly in the polls because, when it comes down to it, the predictive polls are not the election day voter turnout.
The abstract words and patriotic sentiment aside, go vote. Check your registration, show up to the polls – or mail-in or early vote – and make sure you make your mark.
Everyone can say that their individual vote doesn’t matter, but if enough people say that, election results change. Winners change. Losers change.
On another note, your ballot will contain more than the presidential election. Realistically, your local races and referendums – policy changes based on direct votes – will impact your life in a day-to-day way. You can check your sample ballot on Ballotpedia to learn about what you are voting for before you do so.
From one first-time voter to another, don’t let the cynics tell you that your vote does not matter or that the election does not matter if you vote. When we stop voting, elections stop mattering. And then we stop having elections.
I would hope none of us wish to lose that cornerstone of democracy.
And, from one college student to another, campuses are places of change and beautiful thought. Don’t diminish yours because somebody else is telling you to.
