My First Political Memory: Voting in Kindergarten

As we all prepare for election day, I cannot help but reflect on the first time I ever voted: in a mock election during my kindergarten class in 2008, between Barack Obama and John McCain. It was a simple ballot; we just went up to our teacher's desk and used a crayon to circle the face of whoever we wanted to vote for. Looking back on it, it's remarkable because it was my first political memory and sparked my interest in politics and our nation's history. Without fully understanding the situation's complexity or the issues being voted on, I remember going home that day and asking my parents about the presidential nominees and wondering what happens after the winner is determined.?

Growing up during Barack Obama’s historic presidential runs in 2008 and 2012 was a formative experience, teaching me the importance of participation and the power of a single vote. A lot has happened in the world since then, and the political landscape of the United States has evolved into a more polarized and high-pressure environment. Yet the core principle remains the same: every vote counts. Being able to vote is not just a right; it is a privilege many people worldwide still fight for.?

Now, in 2024, after walking up to the actual ballot box for the first time and taking the opportunity to make my voice heard and vote in the election, it is surreal. I carry with me the same simple hope and desire for a better future that I had back in my first kindergarten election in 2008. Still, I also have the life lessons I have learned along the way and the knowledge of what these issues I am voting for mean and how they can impact my life. Connecting the dots from my childhood to my future, I voted early with my family in the town I grew up in a couple of weeks ago. It was an exciting experience: waiting in line, turning in my ballot, and finally wearing the “I Voted” sticker.?

Here’s to the power of our voices and the importance of participating in democracy, one ballot at a time.?

Thanks for reading, and GO VOTE!