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Opinion

Vikings Vocalize: Why Are You Voting?

We asked high school seniors why they would vote in this year’s election. Here’s what they said:

The Maroon and White Staff

November 5, 2024

Collage by Hayden Arnett

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“I think it’s important to express your rights as a citizen. If you have those rights, why not express them? Election day is on my 18th birthday. I can express my opinions and have a say in how the country’s run.”

— Abigail Waldorf

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“I feel like America right now is not really in the best place and I think it’s important on who leads our country because this is going to serve us positives going into it. I think it’s important for us to have a voice in who’s going to be leading us.”

— Carly Compton

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“Because why wouldn’t I? My opinion matters.”

— Eli Moore

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“I think it’s important to vote because that’s our only voice in the government unless you’re a government official. It’s important to understand you have a voice, other wise we’re just letting other people make choices for us.”

— Ariel Harmon

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“I am voting. That’s how the people’s voices get heard, that’s how we make change happen. I’d ask [people who aren’t voting] why they don’t plan to vote, and try to tell them that sometimes it seems like it’s rigged against us, but this is our only chance for our voices to be heard.”

— Gwen Puckett

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“I’d like for everybody to vote, but it’s important for everyone to know they don’t have to. In this country, you have the right to decide, but it’s important to at least look at the research and decide from there.”

— Cooper Knapp

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“I think it’s important to vote so that America has a good leader and is in good hands and so that we can have trust. [Voting is about] feeling that we have peace and harmony, so we don’t feel threatened.”

— Kiya Hudson

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“It’s a special privilege and in smaller elections, not as many people vote.”

— Vance McCracken

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“It’s the first time we’ve been allowed to vote.”

— Grayson Swaggerty

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“I think it’s a good thing to vote because your country can kind of change with presidents; you want to vote to better your country, and so that’s why I’m doing it.”