First-time Voters Speak Up in 08 Election

The recent election on November 4th energized first-time voters to unfamiliar heights this year. This excitement ramped up to an exemplary display at a polling location in Loomis, California.

Steve Patwell, a facilitator at the polls in Loomis, said that they had seen roughly 20% more voters under 25 on election day. "I've probably seen about 50% more first-time voters than in the last presidential election. Even my lazy son got off the couch and voted!" he said, referring to his 19 year old son. Steve said that he was sure that the political heat had inclined more first-time voters to step up and voice their decisions on the ballots.

As a first-time voter myself, I saw a multitude of voters in the 18-21 age group at the local polls throughout the day.

Wendy Sullivan, a first-time voter and Sierra College student, said "I've been watching the debates on TV, so I'm pretty excited to be involved this time around!" Wendy said that she had several friends who had decided not to vote, and said "[they] took the easy way out in not helping to shape our future."

Another first-time voter, Brett Jing, expressed disbelief at the thought of simply not voting. "My family has always put a lot of emphasis on our role in telling politicians our needs. If you don't talk, they won't listen!" he shared. He shared that his awareness of the topics at hand in the election elevated his inclination to educate himself in the matters.

His enthusiasm, however, was not shared with all eligible first-time voters though, as seen in the case of Gary Dashe. Gary shared his apathy with a chuckle, "I couldn't just get up and care about the election. It just wouldn't be right."

The enthusiasm among these voters was generally quite astounding. Of course, there will always be those who will abstain from voting, but this lack of enthusiasm will simply result in those voices not being heard.