The empowerment of first-time voting
Opinion
By Victoria Gómez, CAS English Major and Marketing and Communications Student Worker
The first time I voted was inside my childhood elementary school on March 19, 2024, for the general primary election. As I finished my first civic engagement by voting, I noticed the lack of young people voting at the polling location. The experienced poll worker mentioned how young I was and encouraged me to motivate my friends and their friends to come in and vote.
At that moment I felt inspired and empowered, ready to get new voters to vote. I created a new goal for myself, which was to not only urge the younger generations to vote but to express the importance of why we should. I began looking at how new policies not only affect society but how they will affect the younger generation; since this generation will shape the future for years to come!
Growing up, voting was not a topic I bothered to invest my time in. It was not until high school that my AP United States Government and Politics teacher stressed the importance of voting and how it shapes our future. My teacher empathized with me that I have unique perspectives and experiences by being a first-generation American.
By voting, I help ensure that my needs as well as my community are represented in local and national policies. Before those classes, I saw voting as merely checking off a box and walking out of the polls. However, after finishing high school and being a first-time voter in this presidential election, I realized it was not.
I witnessed the struggles of two immigrant parents wanting to live the American dream in a system that worked against them. Since then, the older I got, the more I realized that I have to work twice as hard to be heard. Wanting my voice to have an impact, I started small. I worked at a public library for over a year and a half. There I saw firsthand the struggles that my community faced and what resources were commonly needed!
It was at that moment that I knew I wanted to vote. After my experience voting, I walked out with my sticker and a sense of pride and accomplishment. To others, it may not seem as impactful, but here I voted for myself and my community, a responsibility that weighed heavily on my thoughts. Casting a ballot is not just about choosing a candidate or policy; it is about embracing my role as a citizen ready to help shape our society.
My first time voting in a presidential election will be a milestone and hopefully an achievement for other first-time voters. However, this will be the beginning of a lifelong commitment to making sure that my voice and the voices of those I represent are heard, especially in shaping the world we live in. This election, gather your friends and family and head to the polls to cast your ballot. Regardless of your political party, we all have a right to be heard in this election.