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‘It’s a privilege’

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MFL MarMac seniors Tristen Kautman (left), Peyton Meisner, Emily Hanson and Kayla Keehner will all vote for the first time in the Nov. 8 general election. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

Students excited to vote for the first time

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

“I’m excited that my voice finally matters.” Emily Hanson, along with her fellow MFL MarMac seniors Kayla Keehner, Tristen Kautman and Peyton Meisner, will be among the millions of young Americans eligible to vote for the first time in the Nov. 8 general election.

They’re taking their rights seriously.

“It’s a privilege,” Kautman shared. “It’s one of the most historic elections.”

It’s also a bit surreal, though, admitted Keehner.

“You now have the same choices as a 60 year old,” she said.

Most national polls show millennials (people between the ages of 18 and 35) are generally more supportive of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. In Iowa, however, according to a poll conducted by the Des Moines Register and Mediacom in early October, Republican nominee Donald Trump has the support of 43 percent of likely millennial voters, while only 34 percent back Clinton.

These four MFL MarMac seniors—who all said they plan to vote for Trump—back that claim. 

Of the group, Kautman was the only one to support Trump since the primaries. Hanson initially liked Ben Carson, but later found him too passive. Keehner and Meisner were fans of John Kasich. The addition of Mike Pence to the Trump ticket swayed her, Keehner remarked. Meisner said Bernie Sanders was also attractive to him, and, if he was the Democratic nominee, would have created a tougher decision.

Ultimately, though, the policies are more important to these young voters than personalities.

“You have to put personalities aside,” Hanson explained. “This election is between globalization and patriotism.”

“You have to think of what you truly believe in rather than how they act,” Keehner noted.

What issues are most important to them? For Meisner, the national debt is a priority.

“It’s gotten worse, and I don’t think it will get better [under Clinton],” he said.

Race relations weigh on his mind, too, Meisner shared.

“It’s gotten out of hand,” he said. “I think Trump is more aware of the issue.”

Kautman and Keehner cited health care as a key issue, both noting that changes need to be made. Keehner also considers the economy of importance.

“I like Trump’s views about keeping jobs in America,” she stated.

Education is a big issue to Hanson, who said she disagrees with the idea of making community college free.

“You’re going to have to pay for that later,” she said, adding, “I think it’s going to dumb us down, when you give more opportunities to those who slide by than to those who excel.”

In addition, Hanson said she favors Trump’s pledge to “Make America Great Again.”

“I think we should focus on America instead of getting in on other countries’ problems,” she said.

In the end, it’s all about upsetting the status quo, the students agreed.

“We need a big change,” Kautman mentioned. “With the checks and balances, I don’t think Trump can do anything too bad.”

“To me, it seems weird to keep doing what’s been done,” Keehner asserted.

In races down the ticket, Kautman said he plans to vote for candidates he feels will do the best job, regardless of their political affiliation.

“The party doesn’t matter,” Hanson agreed.

That’s especially true, the young voters said, with the State House District 56 race, which involves incumbent Democrat Patti Ruff, who’s from McGregor, and Kristi Hager.

“We know Patti Ruff,” said Meisner. In local races, he stated, “You know the person, and you know if they’ll do a good job.”

During the build-up to the election, the students said they’ve enjoyed learning more about the candidates and important issues through their government class.

Half of the class is spent discussing the election, Keehner said. The discussion can get pretty intense, added Kautman, but they still debate both sides.

“It’s not directed,” Hanson said.

“Teachers are good about making [the discussion] up to us,” Meisner noted.

They also like that their opinions are valued, and hope older voters take their electoral power seriously.

“Some might think we’re going with Trump because it’s funny,” Keehner commented, “but that’s not why.”

“We like the change and difference,” Kautman stressed.

“We hear about it every day and we’re having discussions,” Meisner added.

As a result, Hanson said, “We really have formed our own opinions.”

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