This story was written by Teen Vogue's 2024 Student Correspondents, a team of college students and recent graduates covering the election cycle from key battleground states.
With Election Day right around the corner, young voters are gearing up to make their impact felt. For some, this will be their first time casting a vote, while others have been through this process before, but say this year feels different. From organizing election-related activities on campus to volunteering to help others get to the polls, young voters are more engaged than ever, driven by the desire to protect their rights and ensure their communities are represented. Here’s how young voters are planning to spend Election Day.
Julie Wright, 20, Philly, Lehigh University
“I already actually voted by mail…so my plans for Election Day are a couple different things. I want to help other people get to the polls. I'm looking into organizing rides, making sure that they have the information they need so they can plan to get to the polls. And then, of course, watching the election results.”
Voting method: Mail
First-time voter? No
Why I’m voting: “It is one of the most accessible methods of participating in our political processes and making our voices heard.”
Yisel Dejesus, 20, New York
“My plans are to vote absentee ballot because I don't think I'll have time to show up in person, especially right now, I don't know what my zip code would be, just because I'm moving around so much.”
Voting method: In-person
First-time voter? Yes
Why I’m voting: “Voting for me feels like a right that we have, especially as women of color…we didn't have that right before.”
Terry Addey, 19, Connecticut
“I'm a Pennsylvania resident, so instead of me having to go out someplace, I'm going to mail it. I did a mail-in ballot, it’s going to be sent to my house in York, Pennsylvania.”
Voting method: Mail-in ballot
First-time voter? Yes
Why I’m voting: “As an American citizen, my voice needs to be heard.”
Kareem Hargrove, 21, Connecticut
“As American society diversifies (philosophically, culturally, & institutionally), the nation will inevitably be heterogeneous in political thought. That said, the (perceived) inability to engage in genuine political and philosophical debate seems debilitating.”
Voting method: In-person
First-time voter? No
Why I’m voting: “I’m concerned about civic agency and the changing role of the federal government.”
Baylee Baker, 18, Texas
“I plan on going to the polls pretty early with a group of my friends. After voting, I will probably wind down for a bit, until votes start to be counted. Then I will turn the news on to watch states turn red and blue and wait to see who wins the race to 270. I am overjoyed to cast my ballot on election day. My home state is Texas and it can feel like my vote doesn’t matter there since it is always red. But here in Pennsylvania, I know my vote is critical since it is a swing state. It makes me so excited to get out and vote and get my friends to vote as well.”
Voting method: In-person
First-time voter? Yes
Why I’m voting: “I know my vote is critical here in Pennsylvania.”
Kamara St. Paul, 20, New York
“This election day, I will be marching to the polls bright and early to beat the crowd and voting with my reproductive and fundamental rights in mind. I will be bringing my friends with me to make sure that we do all that we can to make a difference in this crucial election.”
Voting method: In-person
First-time voter? No
Why I’m voting: “I’m voting because the outcome of this election will affect the legislation for the next few years to come. I would like to take part in deciding what kind of future me, my niece and nephew and even my future children will have.”
Julia Contino, 21, Pennsylvania, Lehigh University
“Nov. 5 is Civic Engagement Day at Lehigh University — meaning all classes have been canceled to provide students with the opportunity to vote. While some of my friends may see this as an opportunity to catch up on sleep or work, I am approaching Election Day with a vigorous effort to engage with and inform our local community.”
“I plan to head to the polls bright and early at 7 a.m. to start recording wait times and gather public opinion. Throughout the day, my team [The Brown and White] ] and I will edit numerous articles discussing different aspects of voting and related on-campus events, multimedia content related to community voices and live updates as elections are called.”
Voting method: In-person
First-time voter? No, but in a presidential election, yes
Why I’m voting: “Youth voters are absolutely essential to this election – and I couldn’t be more proud to be one.”
Are you registered to vote? Check your voter registration here.
Stay up-to-date with the politics team. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take
