With the Democrat and Republican primaries coming to a close, the power is in the hands of the people. With many Shorewood Seniors being able to vote this year, they are taking advantage of their constitutional rights to determine who will lead our country in 2024 and beyond.
Shorewood Voters
Student A (chose to remain anonymous), senior, firmly believes that it is our civic duty as Americans to vote. Student A will be voting in the primaries as well as the main election in November. “I do have political bias, I say, about wanting to vote in a certain political group, which would be republican to moderate, ” Student A said, commenting on their political ideologies. Making decisions for Student A has not been easy. “There aren’t very many options,” they said, reflecting on their discontent for both candidates in the election. But at the end of the day, a decision has to be made. “Probably Donald Trump,” Student A said. “I just don’t see Nikki Haley being a candidate”. At the time of this interview Nikki Haley was still in the running as a republican nominee against Trump, but as of March 6 she has dropped out, leaving Trump as the sole nominee for the Republican Party. Student A also expressed that they would vote for Trump over Biden in the November election. Student A then expressed what they hope Trump will accomplish in office should he be victorious; “Probably cut down illegal immigration, we’ve been having a huge illegal immigration jump in the past few years”. Despite this, Student A still believes that Trump has some negative effects for the country: “He has a huge polarizing effect, but Biden has a very similar effect” Student A said. They also stated; “The two parties are literally splitting apart, and that is a problem”. Student A would also like to shout out their favorite civics teacher: “Because of Ms. Kim, she helped me learn I have a civic duty to vote”.
Hannah Craft, senior, says she believes everyone should vote and educate themselves on our government. “I will probably be voting for Joe Biden,” Craft said. “Don’t love him, but I will probably be voting for him over Trump”. Similar to Student A Craft found distaste in both of the candidates but found some good in Biden. “He has good economic policies, created a bunch of new jobs, and he focuses on stuff that will appeal to our generation”. “He’s a better politician because he was in politics forever, and Trump was an entertainment guy,” Craft said. Despite Biden being Craft’s only choice, she still wishes it could have been someone else. “Biden is definitely old, I really liked Dean Phillips, but obviously he’s not gonna win,” Craft said. Dean Phillips was one of the only Democrats running against Biden in the primaries, however Phillips dropped March 6 along with Nikki Haley. “I just wish he was a little younger,” Craft said, highlighting a common point of discontent amongst many Democrats. Craft then wrapped up her statement with a word on voting: “I think it’s the most important thing, voter turnout is one of the most important things in an election…If you don’t vote then you throw your vote away,” Craft says, as a warning to other seniors.
How to Vote
- Register to vote in Washington State
You can register to vote in Washington State online. Type in this link to any browser and it will direct you to a government voter registration page: voter.votewa.gov
2. Receive mailed ballot
Ballots are mailed at least 18 days before each election. In it you will receive the ballot and a “secrecy sleeve” which you use to mail the ballot back after you have filled it out.
3. Fill out and send (or go in person to nearest ballot box)
Follow the instructions in the ballot. You can either mail it in or deliver it in person to the nearest ballot box. A close ballot box for most Shorewood students is the Woodway Town Hall (23920 113th Pl W, Woodway). You can also find the nearest one to you at this website: VoteWA.gov. This website will also provide you with information on the candidates you may be voting for.
Meet the Candidates
Donald Trump
Former president Donald Trump, 77, is the leading Republican nominee and will likely be facing off against Joe Biden this Nov.r in the upcoming presidential election. He previously secured office in 2016 and lost the election four years ago to current President Biden. Many Republicans support Trump due to his “America First” policies and tax reforms, however, he has a bad history of controversy that many see as divisive.
Some policies Trump hopes to implement include tax cuts for individuals as well as corporations, a crackdown on illegal immigration, an increase in policing, and economic reforms. The last of which is the main reason why many vote for him as he seeks to eliminate the country’s debt.
Some cons worth noting about Trump are his multitude of felony cases including one where he allegedly attempted to convince a Georgia official to change the votes in his favor. Some see this as dangerous for our democracy and highly alienating.
Joe Biden
Current president Joe Biden, 81, is the likely Democratic nominee and will be running to secure office for his second term. First a senator, then serving as vice president for Barack Obama, Biden has had his fair share of experience in politics, but many question his ability to function at such an old age.
Some policies Biden hopes to implement include climate change, police reform, gun control, supporting allies abroad, expanding healthcare, and enforcing our southern border. While Biden is quite left-leaning, most of his policies are quite moderate, seeming to make him attractive to a broader audience.
Some cons worth noting about Biden are his declining mental health, which has resulted in severe memory loss at times. He notably switched up the respective presidents of Mexico and Egypt. Many see this as dangerous especially considering how much responsibility is put on the shoulders of the president.
“I think it’s important for everyone to be in touch with politics, I think it’s important for everyone to vote” – Student A
“Your vote always matters, I think it’s important to vote not just to get your voice heard, but other voices heard” – Hannah Craft
