The 2024 United States election day was on Nov. 5. Students who turned 18 before or on election day were able to vote in the election this year.
“I think voting is important because the results affect everyone,” Senior Danna Farias said.
Seniors, like Farias, registered long before election day to vote early. Students were provided early voting registration forms from their social studies teachers.
“This past election cycle this year, Fort Bend County broke its own early voting records from 2020 even though we had a week less of early voting, which is really amazing,” U.S. History teacher Meredith Meece said. “That comes from participation from our students and everyone in our community.”
Despite the increasing numbers of early voters, there are still concerns that there is not enough voter participation among students.
“I know people who go to protests and don’t vote,” Senior Ava Aliyari said. “I think voting is the easiest form of protest and getting your voice heard.”
Another concern is that not enough registered voters vote in primary elections.
“I think a lot of young people, one of their chief complaints is that they feel like politics are not progressive enough,” Meece said. “So the best way to get those kinds of things moving is participating in primaries where the more progressive candidates are running for the chance to be the main candidate in the general elections and get voted on in the primary elections.”
This progressivism can mean several different things depending on the voter.
“As I grew up, I realized how important [voting] was not only for women but for my future children,” Aliyari said.
Regardless of the reasons behind a person’s vote, Meece said she will “never forget” her first time voting.
“When I was a senior in high school, it was the 2008 election – the Obama v. McCain election,” Meece said. “That was a huge election and I remember being so glad that I turned 18 in September of that year so I got to vote alongside many of my classmates on election day. I remember what an incredible feeling that was.”
