First-Time Voters Discuss Their Motivations

Voting.

A civic duty. A mundane chore. A scary burden. A fantastic opportunity.

All are different perceptions from this election cycle’s first-time voters. Each provides a different source and type of motivation.

Father Shajit Athipozhi was happy to vote after moving from India to California 12 years ago. “One of the reasons I became a citizen was because I thought I wanted to vote. I’ve been here for the past 12 years, and I figured that I will be here for a longer period of time,” said Father Shajit.

He became a citizen 2 years ago after spending time here on a religious worker’s visa. His desire to vote is more self-motivated than fellow first-time voter Mariel Miranda.

“I feel like [voting] is something I have to do as a citizen,” said Miranda. She felt a strong incentive to vote from her mother. Constant reminders convinced Miranda to finally fill out her ballot.

This election saw the highest voter turnout in over a century. The motivation to vote are as varied as the voters themselves.