This election cycle is the first presidential election that many students could vote in for the first time. For the first time, Villanova students were able to vote on campus at the Performing Arts Center. First time voters were able to cast their ballot for the President of the United States down to their Pennsylvania state representatives.
Villanovans who reside on campus were able to vote in the Mullen Center, and off-campus students were able to vote at their respective polling locations, like local churches and community centers. At the Mullen center, local campaigns and Villanova organizations like Let’s Vote Nova were stationed outside the polls to encourage students.
The Villanovan spoke to students about their experience voting for the first time. Senior Student Dean Millard spoke on his choice to change his voter address from his hometown to his campus address in Pennsylvania. He also spoke on his choice to vote in this election for the very first time.
“I changed my registration to on campus. I think it’s going to be very memorable to vote for the first time at my future alma mater,” Millard said.
Millard also spoke on his efforts with the student organization, Lets Vote Nova. “Also just helping out with Lets Vote Nova initiatives, regardless of which way students vote, it’s important that they make their voices heard and maintain civic engagement,” he added.
Other senior students echoed Millard’s claims about voting.
“It was really important for me to go and vote and especially for my first time I was incredibly excited to be able to vote for a candidate for president who aligns with my values and what I believe is important,” student Shannon O’OBrien. “The direction that the country is going to go in for the next four years is up to us. I am excited to be able to have my voice heard.”
Student Katie Chuss discussed her anticipation of voting since the 2020 election.
“I was really angry that I couldn’t vote in 2020,” she said. “I volunteered at the polls and reminded people of their rights in line.”
“To get to vote this time is a relief. Being in a swing state and having grown up here it was really impactful to be able to contribute in a numerical way. All contributions matter but getting a concrete say in the future of our democracy was really important to me” she added.
Sophomore student Dylan Cahill spoke on his experience voting for the first time.
“I was super excited to go out and vote for the first time, and the process was super easy and straightforward,” Cahill said.“The only downside was the long line that I waited two hours for, but I was so excited the wait did not matter.”
Senior student Mackenize Smith reflected on her first time voting.
“For me voting today was very empowering, and I am grateful that I was able to get the chance to vote in a swing state,” she said. “The voting process was honestly very easy, and everyone working the polls was super nice.”
Senior student Alexa Kallas also commented on voting in her first election. “I am proud to be able to vote for a woman on my ballot for the first time and I’m looking forward to telling my kids in the future that in my first election I got to vote for a woman and how the future is female!”
