On your 18th birthday, you hit a new milestone, finally becoming a legal adult in the United States. This isn’t just for a title though, as many responsibilities and opportunities come with being an adult in this country. One can serve on a jury, rent an apartment, even enlist in the military. Yet, the most well known new right may be the right to vote, the chance to have your beliefs be put into consideration like the rest of the country. A handful of seniors here at South have reached this point in their lives, and with election day approaching, many are ready to let the world hear their voice.
Since this is the students’ first time doing a duty like this, everything can feel new, unexpected and even confusing. Sydney Hoffman ’26 is ready for this election and feels a strong sense of pride.
“I feel very excited that I finally get to vote,” Hoffman said. “I really want my voice to be heard, especially as a younger person in this generation.”
On the other hand, some might not find this new responsibility as exciting or groundbreaking as others. Ben Showalter ’26 will be participating in this election, but he doesn’t feel any particular way compared to others.
“It’s not as big of a deal as I thought it would be,” Showalter said. “I feel like people would think that turning 18 and voting is this big thing; I still feel like it’s nice to have this contribution to my country.”
Many of the younger generation may not have this motivation to go out to the ballots, but this inspiration can come from many places. Whether its what you see online or hear from the people surrounding you, getting the chance to vote is a privilege not every person has.
“My family has encouraged me to vote in this election,” Hoffman said. “As a family, we often talk about relevant world and community issues and how they affect us. Doing so has persuaded me.”
With current political tension, both locally and globally, it can be a challenge to receive clear information with little bias or altered information. These students need to do research in a reliable way. Maddie Grabruck ’26 uses a variety of platforms to understand certain issues.
“Most of my information comes from my family, social media and different news outlets,” Grabruck said. “Today, you are really able to find information anywhere with technology.”
This is an ever-changing time for many, whether they’re a first-time voter or otherwise. With the state of the political environment, putting yourself out there is something Showalter still believes in.
“I feel that it is my obligation to vote,” Showalter said. “Because we have this ability to do so, I think we should take part in it, as every voice matters.”
