First time voters

By: Emily Gray

Voting for the first time is a pivotal moment in a young adult’s life. It is a time to make voices heard when, previously, it may not have been possible to do so. For Nina Tasic, senior, voting in the 2020 election was critical in order to create the change she wanted to see.

“I wanted to vote because I wanted to help see to it that someone who cares about the people living in this country gets into office,” Tasic stated. “I believe that a change in leadership in this country is long overdue, and the best way I could help make this change happen was by voting.”

Tasic never questioned whether or not she was going to vote and she didn’t have anyone trying to influence her to vote one way or another.

“The people in my life never pushed me to vote, let alone pushed me to ‘vote red or blue.’ I have just always understood that it is my duty as a citizen to vote—and not just with myself in mind,” Tasic said. “If we do not vote, we have no way of letting our representatives know that we are facing issues we need help resolving. In a democracy, not voting is giving up power that we are entitled to. This can be detrimental, especially to a whole country when electing an official that is supposed to lead and represent it.”

Kelly Yake, ‘20 and Megan Stoerman, ‘20, also believe that voting is an important part of becoming an adult.

“It’s very important to vote because it’s key for people’s voices to be heard,” Yake stated.

“Many individuals, women especially, throughout the world do not have the right to vote so I think that it is my duty to vote for everyone that does not have a voice. We should know how privileged we are as Americans to have the ability to have a say in our government, as many people in the world do not have this privilege,” Stoerman said.

Tasic and Yake agree that voting is the way to get voices heard and to make a change where there needs to be one.

“People should be able to get a say in things that will affect them and how they live. If someone chooses not to vote they are just allowing anything to happen without a say. But, even if someone doesn’t vote the way I do at least the people are being heard,” Yake said.

“I think it is very, very important to vote because voting allows people to come together, make their voices heard, and elect representatives they believe will help bring about necessary, positive change,” Tasic stated. Stoerman and Tasic want others to make sure their voices are heard as well and encourage other young people to go out and vote. “If I knew someone was not going to vote, I would encourage them to vote for the sake of others. To be specific, I would encourage them to vote for members of their community who are also members of marginalized communities. We must learn to step outside of ourselves and be voices for those who have lost theirs or are afraid to use theirs. If you were lying on the ground, needing help to get back on your feet, you would not want to be ignored, would you? You would want a hand to help you get back on your feet. Be that hand for other people in your community; vote,” Tasic said. Stoerman had similar feelings. “I would sort of guilt-trip them but not excessively because I also believe that it is a decision that everyone has to make for themselves and they should not be pressured into it because that is not right, nor fundamentally aligned with a democracy is where everyone has the right to do what they want, within limits,” Stoerman stated.

All three strongly believe that, no matter who you vote for, making an educated vote based on change that others want to see is the most important aspect of voting. “To be frank, vote and vote with compassion and empathy. But, before you do, do your research. You have so many resources at your disposal. Overall, do what you can to help yourself become better informed. Do not believe in something your friends or family tell you just because it came from them. Strive to learn, be open, make decisions on your own accord, and make decisions that will not just benefit you, but those around you,” Tasic said.

“When your time comes, please rise to the occasion. Your peers are counting on you, strangers are counting on you, older generations are counting on you to take the torch, uphold this democracy, and make the world a better place for everyone in it.”