By: Yasmine Ganemtore, Communications Intern
Far from being disinterested or apathetic, some first time voters have a nuanced and thoughtful approach to civic participation that offers genuine hope for our democratic processes. As a first-time voter myself, I voted in the Bronx at a YMCA near my home. I opted to vote early, and the process was smooth and convenient. But I wanted to get a broader perspective, so I reached out to a group of Democracy Fellows who discussed their voting experience. Their stories were truly inspiring.
One particularly memorable account came from Annabelle Kemmer, a first-time voter who deliberately traveled across state lines to cast a ballot alongside family members. “I felt it was more impactful to do it in person, so I travelled home to New York from Pennsylvania the weekend before the election and cast my first official vote together with my parents and other family members,” Annabelle shared. This wasn’t just a logistical choice, but a meaningful part of democratic participation that transformed voting from an individual act into a shared family experience.
The motivations behind voting extended well beyond a simple sense of civic duty. These first time voters articulated deep concerns about critical societal issues. They demonstrated an understanding of electoral impact that goes far beyond surface-level political rhetoric.
“I felt that the safety, comfort, and well-being of the people of this country was at stake during this election, and I wanted to feel like my voice mattered in the fight for fairness and equality,” said Karie Sells.
Preparation for voting revealed a commitment to informed decision-making that is both impressive and encouraging. Participants described comprehensive research strategies before casting their ballot: “I prepared for voting by doing research on my candidates, particularly those running in my local elections. I watched key debates and stayed involved with candidates whose campaigns interested me,” shared Noelle Sporer.
Their reflections consistently emphasized voting as a fundamental mechanism of collective agency. “Voting to me is power, voting is the change we want to see. Where there’s people there’s power and we the people are the democracy,” noted Tianna Allen.
Many of the Democracy Fellows described unexpected feelings of empowerment and connection when casting their first votes. Allen spoke of discovering “a fire I didn’t expect to feel. A joy I didn’t expect to have. It was different. I smiled and thought to myself like, ‘dang I’m making a difference.’”
Sporer framed her participation as a continuation of historical struggles for democratic representation. “To me, voting is the simplest way to get involved in [sic] democracy,” she said “I think about the women who fought so hard for the opportunity to fight in the Suffrage Movement and it motivates me to continue using the rights they fought for me to have.”
Their reflections also consistently emphasized voting as a fundamental mechanism of collective agency. As Allen noted, “Voting to me is power, voting is the change we want to see. Where there’s people, there’s power and we the people are the democracy.” This statement captures the essence of democratic participation for these first-time voters.
These students also shared potential strategies for increasing youth voter engagement. “I think that facilitating more civic discussions throughout the campus in a way that makes engagement fun and inviting is the number one way to increase voter turnout in youth,” suggested Crystal Carbonell. Their recommendations reflect a generation eager to be meaningfully involved in the democratic process.
Rather than exhibiting increasing apathy towards politics, these young voters are optimistic about the future. They are not politically disengaged or indifferent. Instead, they are thoughtful, principled, and committed to meaningful civic participation. They view voting not as a requirement, but as an active mechanism for societal transformation. This indicates to me that some members of my generation, including myself, appear poised to refresh our democracy, bringing critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and a genuine commitment to collective progress. Their voices represent more than a voting trend—they signify a renewed interest in being active citizens.
