Young voters set to participate in first Presidential Election

As Mississippians head out to the polls on Tuesday, there will be plenty of young adults casting their first-ever ballots and looking to make a difference in their country.

The voting process can bring out many emotions in all voters, especially first-timers who might feel excited, intimidated or anything in between.

Coast Young Professionals director and voter Shilah Triplett explained how she felt when she began voting and why others might still feel the same.

“I will say when I first started voting, I was very nervous or I felt like it didn’t really matter to me, so I think that’s the biggest thing about our generation,” Triplett said. “We feel like it doesn’t matter to us cause we’re young, we feel like it’s something our parents [have] got to do or our grandparents [have] got to do, but it still affects us.”

However, the process starts well before election day, as voters work to meet registration deadlines and research candidates. Triplett explained that this is an important step for young voters to take.

“I think the biggest thing for our generation is we’re big on… we’re very influenced by others, so become educated on the other candidates,” Triplett said. “Do your research, do your part.”

To some, one vote might seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but it will go on to do much more than just put a tally mark next to a candidate’s name.

“It is very important for young professionals to go vote for this election or for the next election,” Triplett said. “It’s because we are the next generation of young leaders. We’re the next presidents, we’re the next governors, we’re the next lieutenants, and it’s our voices that have to be heard. It’s our voices that have to advocate for what’s right, so without us then it’s nobody, so that’s why I think it’s really important for the next young generations of leaders to vote and go make a difference for our country.”