I recently had a birthday (October 12, shoutout Libras) and I’m now a legal adult in the US of A.

There are many privileges that come with being 18. I can now donate blood, rent an apartment, play the lottery, adopt a human child, join the military, buy stocks, and skydive😦😦

As you may or may not know (if you’re living under a rock) November 5 was Election Day in our beautiful country.

And my favorite right that we as American citizens have is our voting right. So, when November 5 came around I was very excited to cast my first vote in my very first election . . .

That morning I got ready and went to the polls with my mom and sister. It was also my sister's first time voting in an election (she’s 19).

As I entered our polling location, I was filled with ebullient excitement and jolly cheer to participate in my democratic duty.

I did not know what to expect, but the individuals working at my polling station were mostly women, so I felt very safe and comfortable.

A nice lady at a table in front of the polling station gave me a ballot, and I was escorted to the voting booth.

I silently filled the bubbles of my chosen candidates, and was asked to place my ballot in this freaky machine where it scans my choices.

After that, I was handed a sticker (best part of the whole experience) and was on my way.

Statistics time! Per rockthevote.org, the 2024 youth voter turnout was 42%, with a much higher voter turnout in battleground states (like PA) than 2016, but less than 2020.

That means we’re doing an okay job as a generation in our voting turnout, but we could be doing better . . .

Although this election didn’t come to the conclusion that I necessarily desired, I’m still happy with my decision to vote and that I live in a country where I have this right 🥳🥳

In the words of A.P. US Government and Politics teacher Mrs. O’rorke, “If you are unhappy with your government, vote!”