Voting in my First Presidential Election
Roald Dahl once said, "somewhere inside of all of us is the power to change the world." Being a changemaker entails standing up for what we believe in and doing everything in our power to change the world. As a teenager, there are pivotal ages in our life that you are eager to reach. When you turn fifteen and a half, you can get your permit in the state of CA. Then at sweet sixteen, you can become a licensed driver. Young and free at age seventeen, you can donate blood without parental consent. Eighteen rolls around after years of waiting, and you're a legal adult. Who can now register to vote, and as parents would warn, also go to jail. The teenage years are exciting, nerve-racking, educational, emotional, and even life-changing. The power falls in our hands to decide how and when we want to change the world.
I was so excited in my junior year to be a licensed driver and have the freedom to steer my path. At age seventeen, I was eligible to donate blood for the first time. Donating blood meant that I could save up to three lives and help my community. A small action could have such a life-saving impact. While I talk about being a changemaker on a worldly scale, it can often be daunting. We may never be able to change the world; however, you can change someone's world. Donating blood meant that I could have a positive impact on someone's world.
When I turned eighteen, I registered to vote after my fair share of high school leadership elections and watching people come in and out of office. The people who lead are public figures, and they shape our everyday lives at the local level. Voting has the power to change the culture and impact our daily lives. I received my first primaries ballot and had no idea how to vote. With my fellow peers' support, I did my research and conversed with the people around me. I mailed in my ballot with the confidence that I not only filled in the ballot correctly but represented the people around me.
Receiving my ballot for the presidential election was a whole new ball game. The 2020 election between President Donald Trump and Vice President Joe Biden was an election for which I could be present. My vote represented the people around me and the future direction of our country. Voting was fairly easy. I educated myself on the propositions and candidates running. I marked my ballot and dropped it off at my local ballot drop off location. In a COVID-19 world, I felt safe dropping off my ballot. While I did not take advantage of the usual polling experience, dropping off my ballot was how I felt I could safely exercise my right to vote.
Over the years, individuals have voted to place age limits on many things for the younger generation. While age is a limiting factor for some to get involved directly, it does not prevent teenagers from educating and advocating for change. I encourage anyone eligible to vote to listen to those not yet eligible. Have a conversation and share your experience with voting. Engaging in a dual perspective conversation might change your perspective, and changing your perspective might just put the country one step close to a brighter future. Hopefully, in the near future, we can reach a time where the younger generation feels represented, safe, inspired, and eager to be the changemakers of tomorrow.
