As the November 3rd Election Day was approaching, many first-time voters had a lot to consider before finally casting their ballots.  First-time voters could find information at Howto.vote. This included a list of information required for this year’s ballot.  

   “If you don’t vote, you won’t be using your voice and you’ll just be sitting around – it’s kind of like letting someone push you around,” said Lindiah Harris, Guilford alumnus, Class of 2020.

   First-time voters who registered by mail were supposed to provide their driver’s license number, state ID number, last 4 digits of your Social Security number, or a copy of a current ID or government document that showed their name and address. If they failed to do so, they needed to provide one of these when they voted. According to Howto.vote, they could use “(i)a copy of a current and valid photo identification, (ii) a copy of a lease or contract for residence, student ID & mail addressed to your residence, or (iii) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address.” 

      For many first-time voters, social media was the platform for the different discussions about the races and candidates, the polls, the issues that different candidates were planning to address,  and the debates. On top of other issues, COVID-19 was an obstacle that all voters had to reckon with: whether to vote in person or cast an early vote. Lindiah Harris made the decision to vote in person at Lutheran High School polling place. 

   “Voting in person makes me nervous because you never know who was in the booth before you and what they may or may not have,” said Harris. “You don’t know what’s clean and what’s not.”