Future First Lady Jill Biden, President-Elect Joe Biden, Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, future First Lady Jill Biden and future Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff (Facebook)
By Christovi Oyervidez
On Nov. 8, the Associated Press projected Democratic candidate Joe Biden as the winner of the presidential race. For voters between the ages of 18 to 29, the turnout was at an all-time high with 54% of votes cast; 9% up from the 2016 election, according to Pew Research Center.
First-time voter Alexie Salazar, 19, expressed how she felt about voting in the 2020 election.
“I felt like I actually contributed to the beginning of change,” Salazar said.
Salazar explained she voted early and in person but took precautions and made sure to sanitize before and after submitting her ballot.
Younger voter turnout was key for Biden’s victory, according to Pew Research. States like Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Arizona saw an increase of young voter participation who voted for Biden.
Lubbock County Democratic Party Chair Gracie Gomez expressed how every voice matters, especially when it comes from younger voters.
“If ever there is an election,” Gomex said, “it highlights the importance of the young people’s voice, votes and energy.”
Gomez spoke about the importance of voting and staying informed by emphasizing that the outcome of elections will only affect the younger generations to come.
On Oct. 27, more than 7 million people between the ages of 18 to 29 cast their ballot, according to Pew Research Center.
On election night, Texas House District 84 candidate John Gibson explained how there is a generational shift occurring between the younger and older voters.
“I think as our country is going through a lot of changes technologically going on, to a large degree we have a boomer population that has had difficulty making that transition,” Gibson said.
Because of rhetoric tied to some of today’s social issues, Gibson explained how some people within older generations may speak of policy and socialism, whereas younger generations could focus more on pressing issues such as climate change.
Gibson said he hopes this shift ends after this election, so citizens can collectively focus on the important things needing to be done.
Being part of that younger generation, Salazar said her voice represented those who may remain unheard.
“It felt good to know that I was able to vote for people who couldn’t,” Salazar said.
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