As Americans gear up for the upcoming election, many high schoolers are casting their vote for the first time.
Williston seniors, and some juniors, can vote in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. For many, they’ve only taken classes on American politics; now, this is a chance for 18-year-olds to participate in the process.
The two main presidential candidates in the Nov. 5 election are former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris.
Donald Trump is an American politician and businessman, born on June 4, 1946. He attended Fordham University, and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Trump, 78, was elected as the 45th President of the United States, serving from 2017 to 2021. Among a years-long litany of legal trouble, Trump was convicted on May 30, 2024 of 34 felonies related to hush money payments to keep quiet an affair he had with adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Kamala Harris is an American politician and attorney who is the current Vice President of the United States. She was born on October 20, 1964. Harris, 60, has been Vice President since 2021, under President Joe Biden. Born in Oakland, Calif., Harris attended Howard University and has served as a U.S. senator as well as Attorney General of California, a position she held following her role, beginning in 2004, as Chief Prosecutor of San Francisco.
If she is elected, Harris will become the first female, and first African American female president in the history of the United States.
At Williston, seniors and some juniors are eligible to vote, and are excited at the prospect of getting their voice heard.
Jayme Cerasuolo is junior fom Hampden, Mass., is 18 and proud to be part of the eligible group of new voters.
“They’re the future, so they should have a say in who runs the country,” she said of those able to vote.
Elle Ash, a four-year senior proctor in EMV from Kingston, N.H., is very excited to vote in the upcoming election. Elle has an interesting opinion on social media’s impact on Gen Z voters.
“I’m super excited to finally have a say in the election, especially since this is a very big election,” said Elle. “Gen Z is all over social media and that’s their biggest form of information. There are gonna be a lot of people who get their information from TikTok.”
Kat Mayer is a three-year boarder in EMV from Massena, N.Y. She is enthusiastic about the election, and about her role in it.
“I’m excited to have a say finally,” said Kat. “We’re the future of our world, so I think the more young people that vote, the better.”
In a New York Times/Siena College poll, Harris and Trump are, as of Oct. 25, “deadlocked.”
Malaya Anaba is a two-year senior boarder in EMV from Fishers, Indiana, who recognizes the power new voters have.
“Our opinions and our votes mean a lot to where we live, our counties, our nation, and our states. I think it’s really important that everyone goes out and votes,” said Malaya. “Start as early as you can, because it will affect you more as you get older.”
Liv Ferebee, a four-year senior proctor from Lake Placid, New York, took AP Government and Politics last year, and sees the importance in casting her ballot.
“I think every voice in America matters,” Liv told The Willistonian. “We definitely contribute to what our future is going to look like; whoever is in charge of our country could potentially really impact our lives.”
