TAMPA, Fla.– I am 20 and will vote in my first presidential election; it doesn’t get any better than this. All my life, I have heard that voting is a right and a duty, but only now, while getting ready to cast the ballot, have I felt how important this is. Above all, this election is beyond just the selection of a candidate. This election is an opportunity to put into work what one believes in, values, and hopes for the future. Voting is not only an opportunity to speak loud and clear about the issues that matter most in my life but also an effective tool that empowers me, making me capable of shaping the future.
Voting is one of the things that took much work to understand, but being on a college campus with many other young people who feel the same way helped. Hearing my friends and classmates discuss the election, the issues they care about, and the changes they want to see reminds me that we’re not kids on the sidelines. We’re part of this. We’re the ones whom these policies will hit, and voting is our way to take control of the future. With thousands of others, my vote can set our country’s direction.
Understanding the voting process was overwhelming, but UTampaVotes!, a student organization here on campus, has been such a game changer. They make it so accessible to get involved and feel empowered. They have run events where students can come ask questions, get registered, or learn how to request an absentee ballot if they’re from out of state. They even brought in representatives from the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections to answer our questions directly. That in-person help made it much less intimidating and let me know my school cares if students vote or not.
Voting serves as a means of proof that one cares. It says, “I think education, the environment is important, healthcare, or social justice — issues forming a world around me — are important.” The moment I vote, I speak out loud. Also, it connected me with other people who would like to introduce fundamental changes in our lives. It’s so easy to feel like one person’s vote does not matter, but I have come to understand that if we all show up, we are a force to be reckoned with. If I want to see changes in my lifetime, I must make those changes. Moreover, the most direct way to do that is by voting.
UTampaVotes! has also taught me the importance of being an informed voter. They have provided a nonpartisan set of resources and educational events to understand candidates and issues without bias. They even went as far as to encourage their Instagram and on-campus events for students to do research, think critically, and be open-minded. I value that they are not taking any specific agenda to ram it down our throats but rather giving us the power of choice. The process has taught me to delve into the issues and candidates rather than going with whatever comes first. Being an informed voter is a privilege and a responsibility everyone should take seriously.
I am also inspired because voting symbolizes, in part, community and collective action. In working with local partners, such as the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections and being part of the ALL IN Democracy Challenge Coalition, UTampaVotes! highlights that our votes might count for something more significant. The partnerships I am a part of remind me that my vote is more than a limited amount of paper in the ballot box. I connect to students nationwide who are voting in their first elections, and together, we build a voice to shape the future. This sense of unity and collective action gives me an empowering and meaningful experience from voting.
Of course, with anything, there are challenges. UTampaVotes! has noticed that while students want to vote, some simply need to work on registering or requesting absentee ballots. I have been guilty of this too, as this is one of those things that is often easy to put off, thinking you’ll get to it later, and by the time you remember, it’s sometimes too late. UTampaVotes! has made it easier by offering immediate assistance and even pointing out the local polling places for students who do not have transportation. In this case, there is no excuse not to follow through with voting.
I also love how UTampaVotes! is continuing to grow and expand its efforts for elections in the future. They will create a student organization for civic engagement, offering students a more comfortable platform for getting involved without feeling pressured about political views. Being nonpartisan means open arms towards anyone, no matter what stance they have taken, and this openness cannot go unnoticed, especially in such divided political times. It is voting because of caring and not because of which side one is on, which is an essential message for all of us.
It means taking responsibility for the world I want to see. This is my first time voting in a presidential election, and I am ready to step up, knowing my voice matters. Voting is more than a right; it is a privilege and a powerful tool I am excited to use. Thanks to the support from UTampaVotes!, I am prepared, informed, and motivated to make my voice heard. Voting was my chance to say, “This is the future I believe in,” and I planned to make that belief count.
This election, I hope all the young people who are voting, especially for the first time, take a minute to realize what a powerful opportunity this could be. Voting lets us be part of history, and our voices will be out there to drive the changes that others will also see. So, here is to make this election count because our voices, votes, and visions for the future deserve to be out there.