This timeline shows United States Presidential Election years and candidates. America's form of democracy is certainly a privilege. At 18 you can vote for whomever you wish, regardless if you are fully qualified to make such an important decision. When did you vote for the first time? Who did you vote for, and how old were you? Do you think you had enough information about each candidate before voting?
Created by lrfinnegan on May 1, 2011
Last updated: 05/11/11 at 09:18 PM
Elaine Severo, 18 years old. It was 2008 the first time I voted and I voted for Barack Obama. To be completely honest I was probably not as informed as one should be when they make a decision of this caliber. However, I felt like Obama made a real effort to reach out to my generation and tried to connect with us. I remember seeing Obama campaigns all over various social medias and it just seemed to me that if elected he would really pay attention to and advocate for my generation. Evelyn Barile ""I am a terrible U.S. citizen because I was never interested in voting. I felt that if I wasn't politically knowledgeable, how could I make a informed decision? That being said, I think I may have voted for Obama and no, I did not feel strongly, I just felt the country could use a change."
Meagan Finnegan: "I voted for John Kerry when I was 18 years old." Tommy Severo: "I voted for John Kerry when I was 21 years old. I voted for Kerry simply because I was personally working for his campaign."
Brian Hunt: I voted for Geroge Bush Sr. 18 is too young to vote but I feel if you can go off to war at 18 then you should be able to vote. Janet Hogan: Just turned 27 prior to the election and did feel qualified to vote at this age having been out of college and in the workplace for 5 years. The 1980 election was the first election that I was of voting age but at the time had just entered my second year of college and was not at all focused on what was happening out in the "real world".
Rachel Sapienza: I voted for Walter Mondale. I was 21. I missed voting in the 1980 prez election since I was still 17 for another 3 months. As far as 18 goes, I do think I was qualified to vote. I remember people at my high school being very passionate about the 1980 election. I was backing Ted Kennedy until he didn't get the nomination. At 18, I was able to vote for Ed Koch when he got reelected as mayor of NYC. Looking back on it, I might say I didn't know enough about the candidates but I know I thought I did. I feel that 18 is the proper age to votes since one is an adult at that age. It is the age where one starts making important decisions and voting is one of those decisions.
Maureen Severo, at 21 years old, voted for Jimmy Carter in the 1980 Presidential elections.I really did not know much about either of the candidates, I just voted for the party. Annette Allen voted for Ronald Reagan at the age of 19. Carol Vanderpoel: "I voted for Jimmy Carter. I believe I knew enough about the candidates before I voted." Joan Connolly: I was 18 and voted for Ronald Reagan. I was definitely influenced by my "Republican" parents, however I have always reseach the candiates' positions prior to voting.
Ann Sapienza: "I voted for Jimmy Carter when I was 18 years old. Your parents have a huge influence over you so my house was a democratic house, we were very non republicans. I do remember however, that Jimmy was very down to earth and really spoke to young people." Kevin Finnegan: " I voted for Jimmy Carter when I was 18 years old. I think I was qualified to vote that year since that was the first time I ever voted for anyone. As I first time voter, no matter what the election, you tend to do your homework." Scott Drayer: "I voted for Jimmy Carter when I was 19 years old." Kevin Reidinger: " I voted for Gerald Ford. I voted because my mom told me to. I had no idea why."
Leo Connolly age 23. I was not eligible to vote until I was 21 but yes, I think most individuals are eligible to vote at 18 and I think I would have been qualified to vote at 18.
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