While senior year is filled with nostalgic “last” experiences, it is also filled with brand new experiences; this year, numerous MFS seniors will vote in their first Presidential Election. While only a few seniors turned 18 years-old in time for the election, and even fewer registered to vote by the required deadline, these MFS students will make their mark on the United States by voting tomorrow for a Presidential candidate.
Senior John Barton both registered to vote and will be voting on Tuesday. “I think it’s important to have your opinion heard … [I think that] you owe it to other people to have an influence on the government,” said Barton. Out of the political issues in discussion this year, economic inequality is most important to Barton.
Leo Rivera will also be voting on Tuesday; “Yes I intend to vote this year because I feel that this election especially, it’s quite, let’s just say it will impact my future greatly, my future and the future of my friends,” said Rivera. He’s watched the Presidential debates as a way to inform his decision for the upcoming election. Rivera told WordsWorth, “Following the debates is just, it’s analyzing how these people approach situations.” In addition, Rivera has paid attention to political issues he is concerned with, such as LGBTQ+ rights. However, he hasn’t heard any discussion on another important topic. “I’ve also been listening for Black Lives Matter, however that hasn’t come up at all,” Rivera said.
Senior Brad Geyer also plans to vote, saying simply, “Because this election is important.” As for the craziness surrounding the election, Geyer said, “I don’t really care.” When listening in on political issues, Geyer focused on the economy.
After voting in his first Republican primary, Alex Horn will vote in his first Presidential election. “I registered as a Republican when I got my driver’s license, and I voted after Trump had already won the nomination. He’d already had enough votes, but I voted for John Kasich, kind of as a protest vote I guess,” Horn told WordsWorth, regarding the primary.
In response to the craziness of this election, Horn said simply, “I think it’s hyped up because of media, because if you look historically there have been previous elections with a lot of mudslinging, back and forth … so I don’t think it’s anything new.” When picking a candidate, Horn also stressed that the President does not have as much power as a lot of people might imagine, and therefore may not have the power to act upon certain campaign promises; “For example, if you’re thinking about voting for Donald Trump, he might say he wants to build a wall, but whether or not he can actually do that, that’s something you have to bear in mind … that just because a candidate says something doesn’t mean it’ll happen,” Horn said. Overall, he pointed out that “you have to weigh reality with campaign promises.”
As for those of eligible age to vote, some MFS students did not register in order to vote in the Presidential election. Amanda Kezbari, though meeting the age requirements, did not register in time; “I forgot until it was on the news that it was the last day to register,” said Kezbari, “I’m not really into politics.” As for the election, Kezbari can’t wait for it to be over. “The commercials annoy me,” she said.
In addition, senior Lauren Buck consciously chose not to register. “I don’t know what’s going on, not that I don’t follow it,” Buck said, “but there’s so much inconsistency of the candidates that are running, all the articles and commercials lead you different ways.” Concerned with the legitimacy and differences between sources, Buck chose to recuse herself from voting.
