Almost half of North Carolinian voters have already cast ballots. Photo Credits: The Assembly NC
Mia Llibre, Editor of The Powderhorn
Young voters in this upcoming election are demonstrating high turnouts for the close race. Similar to 2016 and 2020, both the Harris Walz and the Trump Vance campaigns are exhibiting strong polarization over key issues such as the economy, abortion, gun laws, healthcare and climate change. Fortunately, for students turning 18 before November 5, they will have the opportunity to partake in this historical election.
“With this being my first election to vote, I'm excited that I get to use my voice and use my opinion to implement, hopefully, change in the country," said Maggie Barnes, senior. “I'm also excited because this is a big election. It's one that's been full of a lot of twists and turns, and I'm excited to be able to play a role in that.”
Being well-informed about the candidates and the issues prevalent in government and society is critical before casting a ballot. Unfortunately, many of the students eligible to vote report feeling unsure about how to best educate themselves and access trust-worthy information as a first time voter.
“Even the websites that they say, ‘Oh, we're not biased, we're politically correct,’ definitely lean toward one party or another, and it's hard to find really solid information,” said Maddie Hood, senior. “And there's really nothing within the school to get information.”
Younger generations have begun to resort to social media, relying on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to gather information about elections. There are downsides, however, as social media can spread fake news, which has become increasingly realistic with the introduction of artificial intelligence.
“Social media spreads the issues that are present so quickly, and people are so quick to make assumptions,” said Hatherly Armfield, senior. “It leads people to assume rather than think. People, especially teenagers, they're quick to view things in black and white and often don’t dig into the depth of what's happening, why it's happening, and really analyze the situation to come up with their own opinions. With TikTok and Instagram, if you start liking stuff from one side, that's all that will show up on your feed.”
Approaching the elections may feel intimidating, particularly with heightened tensions between the two leading presidential candidates. For many students, this may represent the most significant decision they have faced, impacting not only their lives but also the future of their generation and the direction of the next four years.
“It's also a big part that you have to educate yourself, and you can't just conform to the beliefs of other people and what you're around,” said Barnes. “That's been a big thing for me to learn: it's not always what you hear, it's more about what you research and what that sparks in you. We all need to be aware that politicians are going to say what's going to get them the votes.”
Questions about the state of our environment, economy, and education are often at the forefront of young voters’ minds. Understanding these issues from a national to a statewide perspective is essential to necessitate change in our democracy.
“Take advantage of those primary sources, watch the debate and how they interact with each other,” said Chloe Hemsoth, senior. “Look over interviews, rallies, speeches they've given before, because there's always new sources and some that are going to be biased. You can never 100% trust a second-hand source on all information.”
While surrounding influences may play a role in voters’ choices, it's also crucial to maintain an open outlook while researching and determining the most suited candidate. The focus should not reside solely on political party affiliation.
“I feel responsible being a young voter for voting for what's gonna best benefit our generation, because this election will directly impact us and our futures and our early careers, which is a pivotal time in our lives. I've done my best to not just read sources from one side, but from both sides and develop my own opinion,” said Armfield.
Early voting is open in North Carolina up until November 2. To ensure you are registered, visit vote.org and for more information concerning the candidates visit, vote411.org.
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