Every year, seniors in high school that turn 18 and register to vote by the deadline get to vote in the election for the first time in their lives. They sign up, and are designated a specific location in which they will get to vote.

This year, the candidates in Indiana include nominees for the Senate and the House of Representatives in both the state and country, but also smaller elections like the school board, secretary of state and treasurer. Students who vote will play a role in electing these people. 

The common debate about this, however, is whether or not people still in high school should be able to vote or not. 

Some people would argue that voting is exciting, and people should be able to vote as soon as it is legal. Others would say that it is not a big deal, and they are sort of annoyed to have to take the time to go vote. 

Seniors at NC, as long as they are 18 before the election, will be able to vote this year. They have to assess how big of a responsibility it is for them to be voting so they understand how to take it seriously.

In a state like Indiana it is sometimes hard to realize how much your vote counts, since usually the state goes in favor of republicans. Some democrats believe their vote won’t be helping a cause if they won’t win anyways. 

“I think it’s a huge responsibility. The best way people our age and in our generation can make a change in our government is by voting,” senior Lilly Conner said. 

Conner believes the country needs people’s vote to fix what problems may lie within the government. 

Some people, however, understand that their vote is important to the country, no matter what. 

“I think voting is a big responsibility to our country and its principles,” senior Grady Hadar said. 

Hadar understands that the country runs on the right to vote and equal representation, so voting is important no matter what. 

The other debate is whether or not people should be voting while they are still in high school. 

“I think everyone who is able to vote regardless of their age should vote that way our politicians most accurately represent the people,” Hadar said. 

“I think it is important for everybody to be able to go out and support who they think should be able to lead. It is essentially deciding how the rest of your life is going to play out,” Senior Ric Williams said. 

Though the responsibility is big, as long as people take it seriously and use their vote wisely, the government truly will be represented by what the people think. 

Many seniors at our school may think they don’t need to vote, or that it is a waste of time. However, they are wrong. They should exercise their right to do so and head into the place where they are registered to vote tomorrow so they can be represented in this year’s election.