Enfranchised students flock to polls, pick next president
by Clay Boeninger
During what many call the most unprecedented and historic election in American history, many AHS students exercised their right to vote for the first time. Through turbulence and animosity, confusion and disinformation, these three students prevailed to tell their stories.
Joe Biden, the winner of the 2020 presidential race, earned the votes of seniors Anthony Benton and Charlotte Cutright. Benton and Cutright both voted for Biden because of what they called his clear COVID-19 attack plan. “We are in desperate need of a president who will listen to scientists and experts and take their advice,” said Cutright.
They also believe Biden will be a champion for social justice. Said Benton, “I think in the next four years the country will make real change in regards to systemic racism.”
These two voters said that, overall, the election went as smoothly as possible. Both Benton and Cutright reported positive experiences within Athens’ polling places. “My experience with the election process in Athens was pretty good,” said Benton. “It only took about ten minutes for me to vote.”
Cutright also said that she thinks the election processes nationwide were carried out effectively. “Given the special circumstances, I think that states did the best that they could with the elections,” said Cutright.
President Trump, the incumbent and loser of the race, won the vote of one senior who wished to be identified as TT.
TT said that the President’s support of conservative tax and immigration policies, combined with strict interpretations of the Second Amendment, made his choice simple.
While TT’s experiences with the local election processes were positive, he did not appreciate what he perceived as tension and chaos being displayed on the national stage. “There should never be a question [about] whether your vote has been counted or if the counts are accurate,” said TT.
In a rare moment of ideological unity, Cutright and TT both said they did not believe the results were final at the time of the interviews. Cutright feared that President Trump’s legal tactics would tip electoral votes in his favor.
TT expressed apprehension at the preliminary results, opting to wait until the electoral college voted to completely accept the results of the election. Benton, on the other hand, was comfortable with affirming Joe Biden as president-elect. “I feel great about the results and I do believe they are valid,” said Benton.
Indeed, the electoral college voted on Dec. 14 to confirm Joe Biden as the President-elect.
Despite all the political, social, and economic differences that these voters have, each student expressed feelings of gratitude that they were able to exercise their constitutional right to choose the next leader of the free world.
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