In 2018, Democrats and various political groups alike were hoping that they were going to see a relatively large voter turnout, despite the fact that it is a midterm election year. Last midterm election cycle, in 2014, there was a voter turnout of 17% among those aged 18-35 years old, according to the Elect Project. However, 2018 is supposed to be a different year, with CNN reporting that 4 in 10 people said that their vote on election day was in order to tell Trump that he was doing a poor job as president. Democrats spent more time framing the election as a referendum on Trump than focusing on their own candidates, and it seems to have paid off.

This past midterm election, the nation saw historic voter turnout levels, especially considering how low voter turnout during midterm elections have in the United States. Between those aged 18-29, there was a 31% turnout of eligible voters, according to Teen Vogue. This might seem small, but it is almost twice the amount of people as in a similar age group from 2014 with 17%.

Personally, I have tried to become more politically involved in the past year leading up to this election. The midterms this year were going to be the first election that I am eligible to vote in, and I had every intention of exercising my right to vote. Before the election, I tried to research all of the candidates on my ballot, which got difficult for the mayoral race in Peapack and Gladstone, NJ. After I had decided who aligned most with my interest, I made sure I was registered to vote online and then waited for election day.

The process on November 6 was simple. I showed up, signed my name in this large book of people that lived in my town, and then stepped into the booth. At first, I was surprised to see how old the voting machines are. One would think that in 2018, we would have newer voting machines than one with green arrow LEDs constantly flashing in your face. Still, checking off the people I wanted to vote for was easy, and the whole process probably took less than 5 mins.

I am happy to be part of the 31% of people aged 18-29 that made sure that their voice was heard, and look forward to continuing to do my part to make sure that people vote.