‘A Privilege’: First-Time San Diego Voters Eye Casting Presidential Ballot, Lean Democratic

Young American adults, aged 18-21, are eagerly awaiting their first opportunity to vote in a presidential election this November. And if voting for the first time wasn’t daunting enough, these young adults will be casting their first votes in an entirely unprecedented era following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the upcoming election.

In a series of interviews, young San Diegans expressed that voting during these unprecedented times is more important than ever. First-time voter Courtney Casey, who will be attending the University of Michigan this fall, described voting as a privilege she has looked forward to earning her entire life.

“Voting is such a privilege that we get here,” Casey said. “Not everyone around the world can vote; even women and minority groups couldn’t vote for years in the U.S.” Casey plans to exercise her right to vote in the upcoming election.

When asked what she was looking for in a candidate, Casey described the political values she seeks in a leader: “It is important to me that a candidate creates job opportunities, provides affordable health care, and remains a part of the Paris Climate Agreement.”

As a young woman, Casey stressed the importance of electing a candidate who opposes restricting access to IVF, contraception, or abortion.

Naomi Gabriel, another first-time voter who will be attending Tulane University this year, emphasized the importance of electing a candidate with extensive prior political experience.

“The first thing I would look at is pure experience and involvement in the government,” said Gabriel. “When you look at the two options we have now, one has been involved in the political world for much longer, and in a way that’s been constructive and not detrimental.”

But it isn’t just a candidate’s political platform that can attract young voters.

“I’m beginning to navigate this place where I can have an opinion on politics that matters. However, I definitely look at more than just the flat-out promises that the candidates make or their political stances alone,” said first-time voter Christina Uebelhoer who will be attending Texas Christian University this fall.

Uebelhoer also noted that she favors candidates whose personal values reflect her own.

“One of my values is family, and I think it’s interesting to see the different ways that the candidates interact with their families and how they hold their families in regard,” said Uebelhoer.

When asked if Biden’s decision to drop out changed their intention of voting for the Democratic candidate, the majority of first-time voter interviewees said it did not. Before Biden’s announcement, many young voters were leaning toward voting for the Democratic candidate primarily to prevent former President Donald Trump’s reelection. After Biden stepped down, their votes shifted toward favoring the new Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, rather than simply being against Trump.

“I was always planning on voting for the Democratic candidate,” said Casey. “But now, I’m going to vote for Harris, and it makes me excited to know that we could elect someone new who can speak coherently and get a message across.”

When Biden initially announced his decision to drop out, many first-time voters were left feeling confused and concerned about the upcoming election. However, once Harris was announced as the Democratic candidate, first-time voters could look forward to the election with excitement rather than apprehension.

And while Harris’ political platform is appealing to first-time voters, the opportunity to elect a woman as the leader of the country for the first time is a major motivator for many.

“It’s empowering for young women to see a reflection of themselves in a place of power, especially because it’s never been done before,” said Uebelhoer. “If I vote for Harris, then I’m behind her. And if she were to win, then I would have played a part in putting the first female president in office.”

Avery Meiselman is a rising senior at Francis Parker School.