They have waited 18 years for the franchise and they plan to use it.
Three students at the Foothills Composite High School Class of 2015 awards ceremony last week said not only are they excited to vote in the Oct. 19 federal election, it is their responsibility to do so.
“I can finally have a say in what is happening in our country – I can actually complain about what is going on,” said Kianna Goldstone, a first-year student at the University of Lethbridge. “People say you don’t have a right to complain unless you vote, and I believe it.”
Her concerns echo many across the country – economy is no. 1 and some social issues.
“I would like to see a lot more social problems taken care of – lower university costs and I don’t think a proposal for $15 a day-care is reasonable,” she said, of the pledge made by the NDP.
Goldstone said at this point she’s leaning towards the Liberal party when she casts her ballot for the first time.
“It’s not specifically his (Justin Trudeau’s) platform, it’s just the Liberal party in general,” the 18-year-old said. “They are not a super-capitalist, but they are not too far to the left. I like that balance.”
Goldstone said none of the parties have reached out to young voters specifically.
She also admits there is little chance the Foothills Liberal candidate Tanya MacPherson is going to beat Conservative MP John Barlow on Oct. 19.
“That is the reality you can’t always win but you have to have a say,” she said. “Even if in the end if my vote didn’t make a difference, it’s nice to know that I did vote.”
Taylor Gyulai, voted in the provincial election in May, but this will be the first time she has marked an ‘X’ federally.
“It feels like I have a huge say in how the country is going to be run,” said Gyulai, an education student at U of L. “I feel privileged to have the vote, when other people can’t vote.”
She would like to see Prime Minister Stephen Harper back at 24 Sussex Drive.
“Harper definitely,” she said. “I feel they (the Conservatives) know a lot more about what they are doing and how to approach the economy and the other issues. The Liberals and the NDP don’t have the experience with that kind of thing.”
Both Goldstone and Gyulai, who remained friends despite the odd political argument now and then, said they received most of their election information through social media.
“So many of the television commercials are just bashing one another, I don’t feel they are giving us information of the party,” Goldstone said.
Shayla Breen is a first-year student at Mount Royal University and dabbled in politics last year as the Comp’s student body vice-president. She is voting for the first time on Monday.
“It means I get to make an impact with my vote – I’m very excited to vote,” Breen said. “To get the opportunity to have a say as to where our government goes is very important to me.”
She said creating an atmosphere of being involved is critical in getting young adults out to vote.
“One of the reasons I am so apt to vote is because my university is promoting it so much and that resonated with me,” she said. “I’m 18, I’m going to school, I’m part of society, I should have a say. I did the research on the parties and which would implement (the best strategies for) my future and my family’s future.”
She said her concerns are lack of funding for education and mental health.
At times, following politics can be tiring.
“I find it interesting that if one problem pops up they are all over it and just how quickly they are ready to pick on one another,” she said. “I find it ridiculous.”
She said she is still undecided.
“I’m not sure – there’s something new each day that seems to pop up,” she said with a smile. “But I know who I am not voting for.”
Although many youths under the age of 18 won’t be able to officially vote, students across the Foothills will participate in mock elections.
