Sophia Castillo | staff writer
Some WHS students met the qualifications to begin voting. Most importantly, members of the student body are now 18 years or older, giving them the right to fill out a ballot.
Only about half of the students that were able to vote actually filled out a ballot.
Students wanting to vote have to overcome inexperience. Students may not know how or where to vote, they might not think a ballot applies to them, and some might not have even known they had to register.
Nationally, about 30 percent of voters under the age of 30 cast a ballot this year, a significant increase over usual statistics for a non-presidential election.
Of the 10 eligible WHS students, 5 cast a ballot. Although it’s an extremely small sample size, that does put the WHS percentage ahead of national statistics.
For those who did vote their main concerns were the bond and the governor’s race.
Senior Danielle Murphy said “I was voting for a better environment for our students and teachers and just a facility that works.”
Kwinton Willier said “The school bond is important because it’s to better our school district for our future generations. I also voted for the governors although I didn’t really care that much because I didn’t do any research on them.”
Robert Potter said “I didn’t know I had to register. I didn’t know how because no one told me about it.”
Nathan Anderson also didn’t register. “I didn’t care because it doesn’t affect me.”
As for staff members, several cited the importance of voting.
Government teacher Jess Rutledge said “It’s important for students to vote because they get to choose and have input on things that impact their daily lives.”
Secretary Jessica Imthurn said “It’s important for students to vote so they have a decision in the direction of the way our government goes.”
Media tech Kristen Berroth said “It’s important for students to vote because it’s important that they’re a part of the electoral process and it’s important that they have a say in what they’re voting for or against. Ultimately that decision affects them because they are able to vote.”
This year, about 66 percent of people registered to vote in Alma showed up. In Maple Hill, that number was around 65 percent. Newbury was 67 percent and MacFarland was 61 percent.
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