By Annie Heath, Staff Writer
Nov. 8. Election Day. It could be a day already scheduled in your calendar. Maybe you know exactly who you’re voting for and you’ve been waiting for this moment since you were a little kid.
Or… perhaps you didn’t even know what exactly was so special about Nov. 8 until a few seconds ago. For high school voters, this is new territory. And you’re not alone in feeling a bit clueless.
With the midterm election coming up, some seniors who are freshly 18 are feeling some pressure. Voting is a part of growing up. We’ve watched the adults in our lives vote in election after election, knowing that soon enough, we would grow up and have the chance to vote ourselves.
However, some seniors aren’t too eager to vote just yet.
“I’m just not educated enough to have my voice out there for that,” senior Marija Frasca said. “If you’re actually educated on the topic and you do your research, then I say go ahead and (vote).”
Similarly, senior Brigit James stated that she wasn’t going to vote because she had absolutely no insight or information about the upcoming elections.
”I don’t even know what’s happening,” James said.
Still, no matter how intimidating voting can seem, especially as an under-informed new voter, you don’t have to shy away from voting. There are plenty of resources out there, and a little research goes a long way.
Senior Jace Porrata plans to vote in the upcoming general election. Porrata explained that before he goes to vote, he will be doing some research. He plans to build his confidence before going to the polls by watching the news and reading some articles on voting.
Like Porrata, senior Sophia Martin is looking forward to voting as well.
“It’s like your first step into being an adult,” Martin said. “(Voting) is just the thing you’re supposed to do.”
Martin also added that she would be doing some research on voting before Nov. 8.
“I’d like to know how to fill it out,” Martin said. “I’m pretty sure I could find that online.”
Whether they’re planning to vote or not, a common question arises among the seniors with this responsibility. Why should they vote?
“We really need students to be active. They should have a voice in their community,” said Rosemary Rawlins, Publicity Director for the League of Women Voters.
The League of Women Voters’ mission is to empower voters and defend democracy. The nonpartisan group – that means the LWV is not aligned with any political party – wants voters’ voices to be heard, which includes high school voices.
A resource the League offers to new voters is vote411.org. Rawlins explained that this website is crucial, as it offers necessary information about voting as well as information about the candidates. Even spending just a few minutes on the website can be extremely helpful to a new voter.
Rawlins noted that something that may stick out to students is that in this upcoming election, there are two contested races on the Dare County Schools Board of Education.
“If they only want to vote for the school board, or they only want to vote for this or that, they can do that,” Rawlins said. “They don’t have to fill out the whole thing.”
She acknowledged that having so many choices can become overwhelming, sometimes driving a potential voter to stay home on Election Day.
“The issues of affordable education, student loan debt and forgiveness, racial justice, environmental and climate change, protecting our coasts so that we don’t get oil rigs that can spill here in the Outer Banks, gun control and school shootings – you’re voting for people who believe one way or another about these issues,” Rawlins said.
Rawlins believes that voting is crucial for ensuring your voice is heard. It’s one of the easiest ways to influence local and national politics.
“We all have to live with the consequences of our elections,” Rawlins said. “Elections determine how we live our day-to-day lives.”
Even if your day-to-day life still includes being a student.
“They can either not vote and things will happen one way or the other, and they’re just rolling the dice and taking their chances. Or, they can be a part of the solution,” Rawlins said.
Junior Annie Heath can be reached at 24heathan45@daretolearn.org.
