Seniors Voting in 2020 Election

Mary Courtney Finn

With one of the most notable Presidential elections having just wrapped up, many Americans are relieved to have the added burdens of a looming election off of their shoulders. However, for a handful of BGA students, they experienced an additional hurdle: being a first-time voter during one of the most unprecedented elections in US history. Considering voting is a different experience for everyone depending on the time of day, location, etc., each senior had unique encounters at the polls. When asked about their overall experience voting during a global pandemic, the following seniors offered this insight… 

Aiden Cloud– “I went right after school, so there wasn’t much of a line and everything went smoothly. It [was] my 18th birthday and my first time voting so [everyone] yelled and clapped for me, which was somewhat embarrassing, but I appreciated the sentiment.” 

Colby Davis– “All I would say is that it is a nerving experience at first just because you are not sure how the process works. I was nervous that people were profiling me as a first-time voter or just trying to get a read [about] who I may vote for. I just wanted to get in and get out quickly.”

Emma Creecy– “My experience was fast and easier than I anticipated it to be. It wasn’t as intimidating [as I thought it would be]. At one point, a man came up to me and asked if it was worth voting, and then I had to explain [to him] why it was important. He then proceeded to express his views, which completely contradicted mine, and I eventually decided to walk away. Overall, my experience went smoother than expected.”

MK Walt– When asked if she had/was planning to vote, MK said she had not yet decided to vote because she does not like either candidate. She says one is definitely worse than the other, but she doesn’t want to vote for someone she does not like.