By Max Sheikh

With the 2024 presidential election just around the corner, many high school seniors and recent graduates will vote for the first time. Younger voters are now considering what matters most to them this year and what kind of president they want. It’s exhilarating and daunting as they contemplate being part of a decision that will affect their futures. First-time voters usually go through a vast number of opinions, but they are keen on what they would want to see for themselves: from economic stability down to leadership and foreign policy. Their votes mark a beginning of them deciding on the fate of the country.

Brandon Burton is a senior at Ponte Vedra High School and said he is zeroing in on the economy. “I’m for sure looking for someone who can properly manage the economy,” he said. Like many, he’s concerned about inflation. “I just want to make sure inflation does not go back up,” he added. Many first-time voters like Burton are paying attention to rising prices and how that will affect their future.

Christian Miller, a senior at Beachside High School, said he likes candidates with action. “Honestly, I look for a candidate who can get right down to business without making countless excuses. That is crucial to me,” he said. And he’s not alone in such thinking; many of the young voters want to see leaders who make simple moves on situations and have results without talking back.

Luke Glecker, graduate from Ponte Vedra High School, has given thought to foreign policy. “We as a country need a president who can manage foreign affairs properly and with no controversy,” Glecker said. His focus is having a president who can handle relationships with other countries smoothly without creating more problems.

But for Fernando Perez, another senior at Ponte Vedra High School, it’s knowing whom to vote for in such left-right divided political culture. “It’s hard for us first-time voters who find it difficult to pick a side since everything feels so divided now,” Perez said. He expressed frustration with all the argumentation there is in today’s politics. America needs to stop arguing so much before I look into what needs fixed,” he said. Young voters like Perez are concerned about unity in the country before they focus on an issue.

Yet amidst all these varying opinions, one thing remains constant: the realization that this election will define their future. They understand that their vote counts, and they are pretty anxious to be a part of which way the country goes. Unlike the previous generation of voters, who have been legally voting for many years, these students are fresh in the political world. They temper the pressure of being an educated voter with learning the intricacies of what truly defines a qualified candidate.

To them, this election is not only about choosing a president but also about the kind of future they will have. For several first-time voters, the burdensome feeling of their decision coincides with their awareness of entry into adulthood and the workforce. They want to vote for someone who would make a good difference to the country and to their well-being. And though they are figuring out where they stand in a divided political landscape, these young voters are determined to do their part in shaping the country’s future.

Graphic by Ryder Navarra