First-Time Voter: 2020 General Elections + COVID-19

And perhaps, you're a first-time voter like me. Whether you just turned 18 or you haven’t participated in a while or never really felt your voice matter. It’s okay. I’m right there with you. I’m with you as we venture down this path together during this season of COVID-19 and the General Elections. 

I’m excited about this new journey! I must admit it isn’t quite like I expected it to be, but more than ever I do feel like everyone is truly understanding the value of their voice. I didn’t picture I would have the option of either waiting in a line six feet away from my comrades or be in a car to vote while wearing a mask amongst other things. Although the circumstances of how we vote have changed, the problems we are dealing are still a constant in our everyday lives. 

I won’t take a path down a political perspective, but I would like to take the time to empower you to use your voice. I don’t know what you’ve gone through and what you want your legacy to look like. Your journey is your own, and your voice can reflect that.  

In today’s climate, Generation Y and Z are dominating the numbers in poll registrations which is awesome to hear!  

As a first-time voter, I’ll admit it all seems a bit daunting. I have tons of questions! What precinct am I in? Who has been representing me and my voices? Why are there close to 2,000 candidates running for the presidential race, but we only hear about the 2 major parties? Never mind that, how do I get registered and where do I even go?  

I could keep going with my questions because I had and have a lot. I’ve even met current voters who couldn’t really answer some of my questions, which is why the library has been a great source for information for me during this season.

My experience for registering was simpler than I thought it would be, however my first-time voting was quite an experience. I arrived about 30 mins prior to the doors opening. It took about an hour to get inside just to take a seat out of the 30 chairs they had. There were 5 rows of 5 chairs that were 6 feet away from each other on all sides.

They called voters row by row to designated areas to either stand and wait in a cue—which prepared them to have their IDs check and get their ballot. After I successfully cast my vote and slid it into the ballot box, I got my awesome “I Voted” sticker and walked out as a proud citizen who contribute and utilized my voice. Yay!

Many fought for us to be able to freely express ourselves and use this powerful tool called a voice. Feel free to check out the wonderful resources that are located on the Richland library’s website. There are tons of details pertaining to the registrations, voting poll locations, absentee voting and voting day.

Get registered! Go vote!