Students express their views on the 2024 general election

For many first-time voters, casting a ballot brings excitement, anxiety and other concerns about voting. But in an already historic election season, some first-time voters feel more nervous than ever.

With Election Day just days away, QCity Metro spoke to students at Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) to find out what’s most important to them and what they think about voting.

Here’s what they said.

Nerves and expectations for the first time

Several students said they will vote for the first time in the 2024 general election, including 18-year-old JCSU freshmen Jeremiah Brown and Ajunique Gans.

Brown, who attended early voting at JCSU on Tuesday, told QCity Metro he was nervous about voting for the first time.

“I don’t know what to expect when it comes to voting because I saw the sample ballot, but I’m still not ready,” Brown told QCity Metro.

Gans said she was excited to vote for the first time.

Kyra Washington, 18, another first-time voter, said she had already voted and was glad she did.

JCSU freshman Hannai Bradley also voted early and described the vote as “surreal” for the first time.

“It’s really cathartic to finally exercise my right to vote,” Bradley told QCity Metro.

Essence Turner, 29, a UNCC graduate, visited the early voting site on campus. She said she decided to vote for the first time because she “learned a lot about politics” in graduate school.

“I learned a lot of things about politics that I didn’t know before, so graduate school opened my mind to the importance of (voting),” Turner said. “Honestly, I was one of those people who thought, ‘it doesn’t matter, so why do it?’ “

Key issues for students

Several students said that women’s rights, the economy and LGBTQ+ rights are most important to them this election year.

“Honestly, what really matters to me this election season is voting rights (and) queer rights – that’s important. I have a lot of friends who are queer, so it’s an issue close to my heart,” Bradley told QCity Metro.

Caitlin Liversgowdy, 21, a UNCC student and first-time voter, said women’s rights, including abortion, are important to her and that the candidates’ positions on them helped her decide on whether to vote.

Similarly, Turner and Washington said women’s rights, particularly the care of black mothers, were the most important issues to them.

The value of democracy

Some young voters shared the view that for them democracy meant freedom of choice.

“Democracy to me means actual freedom and the will to do whatever you want,” Brown said.

“Democracy means we have the freedom to make our own choices,” Turner said.

Gans said democracy is valuable because it influences its future.

“It’s important for young voters to get out and vote, especially because it has a lot to do with our future and what we need, especially as people grow up over the next four years,” Gans said. “Get out and vote.”