So You’re Thinking About Voting By Alexis Quino and Claire Ramos
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any people do it. Only adults do it, but eventually everyone does it at least once. Some do it more than others, and some are more enthusiastic about it. The first time can be a little intimidating, but voting is a coming-of-age experience. •
Illustration | Crystal Yeung
Too Young to Vote
Not Voting
Junior Christopher McNicholas
Senior Ramil Briones
Photo | Claire Ramos
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unior Christopher McNicholas has been interested in politics because of modern politics and current world affairs. “There is so much going on and everything is so one-sided, and there are so many conflicts that there is no avoiding politics,” McNicholas said. Although he will only be 17 during the 2020 election and therefore unable to vote, he will be very interested in what happens during the primaries. “It’s important to vote because you have the right to vote, and you should be able to express your right. It also can determine the future, people you put iwn power, [and] laws that are made,” McNicholas said. The 2020 presidential election will take place in Nov. but the primary elections will be held Tuesday, March 3, to eliminate all but one candidate from each party. Most AHS students will not be old enough to vote during this election. However, a number of them will be 18. A few students like McNicholas will be eager to vote while others will not. “Voting is our right, and when you vote it’s a form of activism because you get to express your opinions,” McNicholas said. McNicholas believes that voting is important because it allows citizens to take advantage in democracy and have a voice. Although it is understood that promises are not always upheld by candidates, which deters people from voting, McNicholas believes that you can be assured of your vote by researching the candidates and being aware of their past to make an informed decision. •
Illustration | Crystal Yeung
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CAMPUS
Photo | Alexis Quino
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ith the primary elections coming up on March 3, there will be students who will be eligible to participate in the voting process. The primaries are the main way for people to choose their preferred candidates and parties for the presidential elections in Nov. However, just as there are students who will vote, there are those who are choosing not to. Despite being of age, senior Ramil Briones is among those who will not be voting in this year’s primaries. Out of thirty responses from a survey we conducted at AHS, 58.3% of students will be old enough to vote by March, but they are also choosing not to vote. Even though he is not voting, Briones still thinks his vote would matter. “It will matter in one way or another. If it comes down to...just a thousand votes, my vote would have mattered,” Briones said. Briones believes that 2016 Democratic Party nominee Hillary Clinton could have won the 2016 presidential election if more people had voted, but because everyone assumed she would win, not many felt as if their vote would have mattered anyway. There are a lot of reasons why students and people in general do not vote. For some, it may be due to the fact that they do not want to or that they are not very interested in politics. For others, it may be because they feel as if their vote would not matter. Although there are those who believe it is vital for everyone to vote and participate, it is ultimately an individual decision. “[I] personally don’t feel obligated to go out and vote,” Briones said. •
