College students have hit the streets these last few weeks to cast their votes for the next president of the United States, no matter how proverbial those streets may be. From voting early and in person to submitting ballots by mail to waiting in long lines on Election Day, masks handy, these students were determined to make their voices heard in what, for many of them, is the most important election of their lifetime thus far.
We spoke with 35 first-time voters about why voting this year mattered to them, and one thing is clear: the youth vote is strong across the country, and these students are ready for their voices to be heard!
- Sonja Caballero – New Hampshire
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“Voting today meant a chance to have a say in my own future. Politicians make decisions that affect my life every day, and the ability to vote for a candidate who I think will accurately represent my values makes me so proud. I’m happy to use my voice to advocate for positive change and equality.”
- McKenzie Muskett – Florida
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“Voting this year was a way to determine my future and the future of this country. We need unity and equality now more than ever, and my vote reflected that need. Being able to vote ensured my voice can be heard, and for the sake of this country, I hope it’s loud enough.”
- Léa Namouni – New Jersey
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“Voting meant a lot to me this year, because I’m the daughter of two immigrants and an immigrant myself. This was the first time I could exercise my right instead of sitting back and watching. With so many important issues on the line, I was so excited to finally have my voice heard!”
- Christina Powell – Texas
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“I voted for my minority friends and family.”
- Isabella Franco – New York
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“The stakes are high in this election, so I couldn’t be prouder to make my voice heard for the first time this November. I’m voting not only for myself, but for my friends and others out there who cannot. Here’s to hoping for positive change!”
- Grace Sullivan – Tennessee
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“Voting this year meant getting my voice heard and getting the chance to elect officials that can make positive changes in both my local and national communities!”
- Sydney Kenton – Delaware
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“I’m so glad I got to vote because it means I make a difference not only for my future, but for the future of everyone else who relies on new legislature to be treated equally and fairly.”
- Gracie King – South Carolina
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“It meant so much to be able to do my civic duty even in these crazy times, in order to keep America’s best interest at heart & to keep our path bright!!”
- Emily Alt – Texas
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“It meant a lot to me to vote this year, not just because it was my first time, but also because so much is on the line for basic human rights and I know that I stand on the right side of history.”
- Ivie Maher – Florida
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“Voting is super important to me because it means that I now (finally!!) have a voice in political elections and can make a difference in how the government is run.”
- Meg Swezey – Massachusettes
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“It was such an amazing experience, and I got to share it with my grandfather which made it even more special. I am so proud to have taken part in this election, and this is a day I will remember for the rest of my life.”
- Ally White – Georgia
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“This is one of the most important elections some of us may ever vote in. It meant the world to me to be able to vote in this election today and use my voice!”
- Ana Marrero – Washington, DC
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“Voting for the first time for the person representing this country felt fulfilling. I voted for my DACA friends, for my African-American friends, for my Latino friends, for my LGBTQIA+ friends, for my women friends. I voted because I wanted my voice to be heard.”
- Monet Lindstrand – Illinois
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“It was such an amazing experience to vote for the first time because it is the 100 year anniversary of women’s right to vote, and I got to mark that occasion by casting my first vote for a presidential candidate I believe in and a vice presidential candidate who will break down barriers as a woman of color!”
- Linnea Carchedi – Massachusettes
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“Young voters have an unfortunate record of historically low turnouts on Election Day. Voting in this election, for me, is an opportunity to shift this narrative, as the young voter demographic has immense power in numbers. We are the future of this country, and exercising our right to vote is an investment in our future.”
- Hannah & Rachel – Georgia
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“We voted because we know this is how our generation can make a difference.”
- Samantha Hutcherson – Virginia
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“I voted in Virginia. Voting to me is extremely important because I believe change starts with US. It’s important to exercise your right to vote and to help be the change we need. ❤️ #VOTE“
- Mary Grigsby – South Carolina
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“I voted because it’s important to vote for those who can’t. I want my voice to be heard, and I want things to get better for all people.”
- Meghan Buschini – Massachusettes
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“Voting to me meant fighting for the rights of the people that I love, including myself! And we printed an I voted sticker for my dog, since I voted by mail!”
- Zakara Durgans – Indiana
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“I voted because I want to see change. I also voted because I felt let down by those who could vote in the last election, and now being able to finally vote, I want my voice to be heard. YOUR VOTE MATTERS! ?”
- Zoe Ganis – North Carolina
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“Vote with kindness, empathy and love for others!!!”
- Valeria Zavala – Texas
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“Voting for the first time, especially in this election, felt like I was able to speak for those who can’t. Voting made me feel heard.”
- Kenzie Syiem – South Carolina
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“I voted for the first time this year with the support of my Campus Trendsetter friends to honor those that fought for me to have this right.”
- Isabella – New York
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“I voted because I wanted to be heard in the most important election yet! I wanted to stand for what I believe in and choose who I felt was right and who were gonna help people like me! Politics and many other subjects are important and I started educating myself to be more aware in my community and help others like me!”
- Julia Gigis – Alabama
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“I voted for the first time, which happens to be in my home state of Alabama, a red state. At first, I felt discouraged that my blue vote may be useless in a red state, but I saw that Texas turned into a swing state and it inspired me that the electoral college might one day have more swing states or become a more fair representation of the people.”
- Isabella Sanchez – California
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“This year was incredibly important to me, because one, it was my first time voting, and two, the election this year is very close. My vote is for the rights of women and their reproductive rights, people of color who are victims of discrimination and police brutality, children who were separated from their parents, our environment, the LGBTQIA+ community, affordable healthcare for everybody, and anyone who was mistreated by our current POTUS. I voted against racism, ignorance, and moving backwards.”
- Yaritza Plata – California
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“Voting was important to me because although there is still a lot of work to do, baby steps are still movement. There were also a lot of important props in California that I wanted to vote on.”
- Ali LeCroy – New York
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“As a first time voter during such an important election, I feel both lucky to have the privilege of participating. People fought so I could be here today casting my ballot, and I won’t let them down. Today, I vote for everyone that paved the way for the life I live and the opportunities I cherish.”
- Hannah – South Carolina
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“Voting means that I am able to fight for the rights of women (like myself) and our body autonomy, the right to love for all LGBTQ+ people (many of whom have been some of the most special friendships I’ve ever had in my life), for Black lives and to work to end the racial divide in this country, for the children at the border who need to be reunited with their parents, to make healthcare accessible to all instead of making it harder, and for the environment so that we can actually have the future that we all want to exist in this world. Voting for me doesn’t actually mean for me, it means voting for the greater good for anyone and everyone.”
- Bella – California
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“I voted for the ones who aren’t able to vote and speak up for the injustices happening on a daily basis. I voted for BASIC human rights and for CHANGE.”
- Caroline – Florida
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“It was important to me to get my vote out this year for so many reasons, including putting a stop to this pandemic and the loss of life we’ve faced, a path towards the end of systemic racism, and greater healthcare access to ALL citizens no matter who they are. As a mental health advocate in my community as well, I knew it was important to support local, state, and federal candidates that acknowledged empathy and mental wellness as a part of their platforms, and that became my priority when researching candidates and ultimately voting for them!”
- Cereese Blose – Indiana
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“To me, voting is a way to thank all those before me who worked hard to let me vote. It’s a way to empower myself and voice my opinion on things that I care about in a way that brings about actual change!”
- Lily Guiney – Michigan
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“Voting to me means honoring the hard work of everyone who has put their entire life into social justice work so I can be where I am today. Voting is something I do not just for myself, but for the generations of women who will come after me. It’s our responsibility to build a better world for them!”
- Jillian Lynch – Massachusetts
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“Voting is a privilege to me, and it was super exciting as it was the first election I was old enough to finally vote in. Voting this year was so important because, as a woman some of my rights hang in the balance, but even more so those who belong to the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color’s rights are also going to be greatly affected by the outcome of this election. Going out and making my voice heard mattered greatly to me.”
- Laura Burkhart – Arizona
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“I voted because democracy, kindness, and ensuring a better future for everyone regardless of their income or identity is important to me!”