Teens share their first time voting experience

Javier Zenteno and Leonardo Rodriguez

Some 18-year-old students don’t vote because they are nervous about what to do since is their first-time voting.  

At Morton East High School, 8 out of 107 students participated in the voting. The 26th Amendment to the US Constitution, which lowered the voting age to 18, was passed because of the clear double standard of making an 18-year-old fight for their country when they didn’t have a political voice. The idea that anyone directly affected by political decisions should have a right to voice their opinions on such decisions should not be limited to only military conscription. According to economics.com in 2012 only 42% of young voters showed up to vote. People feel that 18-year-old’s demonstrate responsibility, maturity, and knowledge to vote.  In 1976, of 18% of eligible voters were from the age of 18-24 years and yet only 13% of them voted.  Ever since 18 years old were given the ability to vote they have always had a disinterest in it.

Voting can be a new learning experience for some teens. It can sometimes be a positive moment.  

“I had a good experience my first time voting because I went with my friends and made it fun,” college freshmen Ruby Bernal said.  

Other people never thought it was important to vote until they realized that every vote counts. 

“I always thought that voting was useless and that our votes meant nothing until I saw that most young people during the presidential election didn’t vote and we know how that turned out. I then I told myself that the next time there is an important election of any sort, I will be there to vote,” Cicero resident, Aylin Rodriguez said. 

Some people had a fun experience voting. Unfortunately, other people don’t.  

“It was really confusing because there was like a lot of names that is didn’t even know and I felt so lost because there was no one around to help me,” Morton East student, Cynthia Flores, said.