Primaries Voting

So You’re Thinking About Voting

By Alexis Quino and Claire Ramos

Many 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

Junior Christopher McNicholas

Photo | Claire Ramos

Not Voting

Senior Ramil Briones

Photo | Alexis Quino

Junior 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. •

With 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. •

Illustration | Crystal Yeung

Senior Victor Delatorre

Photo | Alexis Quino

Not all students are skipping out on their first vote. Senior Victor Delatorre is choosing to participate in the primaries as well as working the poll booths.

Delatorre recently turned 18, and although he is working the poll booths and planning to vote, the last thing he needs to do is register to vote.

41.7% of the students that are old enough will be voting in March, and 100% of those are not registered to vote yet.

However, unlike senior Ramil Briones who believes each vote is important, Delatorre believes that his vote alone would not matter too much.

“One person’s vote alone...won’t matter but a bunch of people voting together [will],” Delatorre said.

If students feel like their vote does not matter, then why should they still choose to vote?

Despite believing his single vote would not be of too much importance, Delatorre still thinks it is important to go out and vote.

“[J]ust like any other citizen, I need to get my opinion out there to make sure the politicians know what we need because they are out there representing our needs and our wants,” Delatorre said. “I want to make sure I’m going to pick the right one who’ll benefit us the most.” •

Too Young to Vote

Senior Daniel Williams

Photo | Alexis Quino

Teacher Jodi Soares

Photo | Claire Ramos

With our generation becoming more politically aware and active, many people, such as The National Youth Rights Association, believe the voting age should be lowered. In fact, teenagers as young as 16 are allowed to register early. However, there are many seniors who would not be 18 by the time primaries roll around and will miss their opportunity to vote for a presidential candidate.

Senior Daniel Williams would not be able to vote in March but will be able to in Nov. With the current state of politics, many students who are below the age requirement are annoyed by the restriction.

“Yes, [it’s frustrating not being able to vote] especially with the current political climate,” Williams said.

89.5% of the students we surveyed would not meet the age requirement by March, and 42.9% of those students said they wish the age requirement was lower.

Although he is frustrated by not being able to vote, Williams is on the fence about the age requirement being lowered.

“[I] feel there’s good reasons to be holding the line to a standard because it’s like the slippery slope fallacy [a series of events that lead to one major event], but on the other hand, I don’t see why it couldn’t hurt to lower it,” Williams said.

Despite being underage, Williams still believes voting is important and involves a smart decision.

“I think it’s important to vote if you’re paying attention to what’s happening because if you aren’t making an informed decision, then you might as well not make a decision at all,” Williams said. “However, I do believe that everyone should take the time to research... That way they can make the best choice...so that they can have a better future.” •

Social studies department chair Jodi Soares believes that voting is an important privilege of a U.S. citizen. Soares believes that by not voting we deny ourselves a voice. Although it can be hard to relate to candidates due to their large political campaigns and the demands of their donors, this next election is a chance to improve on current politics.

“There’s so much room for improvement. I’m hoping we can’t do any worse,” Soares said.

Soares has been a part of the history department since 2005. She remembers the first time she voted in a national election, which was in 1988.

“When I was a little kid—maybe kindergarten age—my mom took me into the polling place, into the booth where she voted, so it was part of what you did. It was part of our family. It’s just how I grew up,” Soares said.

She believes voting is important because people do not always have the same political views as others, and if there is something that someone disagrees with or wants to change, voting is a great way to express that. It can be hard for teenagers and young adults to have power in politics because candidates have to listen to their campaign donors, but voting can give a group leverage.

“If you don’t vote, you’re not participating [in democracy], and you are letting someone else have a voice,” Soares said.

Soares encourages all of her students to vote and take part in society. By voting, we get a say in our country and a leader we can support.

“I need [my ideal leader] to be knowledgeable enough that they can ask questions of advisors. I need a candidate with compassion [that] they need to care about what the people are going through and a candidate who is aware there are other countries besides the United States. That’s important.” •