To the ballot box

The 2022 elections had the potential to change control of both the House and control of the Senate. At U-High, the senior class had a plethora of young adults ready to cast their votes.

“It was a very easy and quick process,” senior Sawyer Dale said. Dale cast his vote a mere 11 days after his eighteenth birthday. 

“It was early in the morning, so it was not that busy,” Dale said. Dale is lucky enough to live next door to a polling station, First Baptist Church. 

“I simply walked over and voted. Did it all by myself,” Dale said. Registering to vote may be a little tricky, but Dale was able to register at his polling station the morning he voted. 

“I registered right then and there… yeah it was easy,” Dale said.

Just across town, senior Annalise Jacobsen ran into the same predicament.

“I didn’t even think about registering until I got there,” Jacobson said. “I did it on the spot though, it took like 5 minutes.” 

As an eighteen year old, there’s a little bit of pride going into your first time ever voting. 

“I was happy to [vote],” Jacobson said. “I think it’s very important to exercise your right to vote. I am women’s suffrage.”

Although there seems to be no issue with registering on the spot, there are benefits to registering before-hand. At least, that’s the way senior Emma Livingston saw it. 

“Register before [you vote], it’ll help… show up and do it. Go vote,” Livingston said. “Having your voice heard is one of the most important things to me.” 

One of the other most important things when it comes to voting is research. 

“If I didn’t do research, I may not have voted,” Livingston said.

Voting irresponsibly can have drastic outcomes.

“I know votes are powerful and didn’t want to wastefully cast it,” senior Timi Lawal said. “I would much rather stay out of the elections for now, since it is only my 5th year in America.”

Lawal was originally born and lived in Nigeria for 11 years before moving to the States when he turned 12.  Despite not voting, Lawal supports civic engagement. 

“Voting must be very easy because so many people do it,” Lawal said. “Don’t be scared or nervous, just go out and do it. Your country is a better place when your voice is heard.”