RuthieBarrett

Turning 18 brings many new freedoms, however, none are as democratic as the right to vote.

The Nebraska Primary is on May 14, which will be the first time many Marian girls will head to the polls and cast their votes.  

Senior Rachel Buresh is gearing up to vote in this primary. 

Buresh says she was inspired by her government class to go and register to vote, so one day, she headed to the Douglas County Election Commission and registered to vote. 

Buresh said she “can’t wait to vote and get my first ‘I Voted Today’ sticker.” 

All seniors are required to take U.S. Government and Politics, so this election is a real world application of all that the girls have been learning.

To prepare students for their first time voting, Mrs. Katy Salzman, a government and politics teacher, says, “students will study a sample ballot in class. 

They will look up their current representatives and research their position on certain key issues, as well as those who are running against them.” 

As Buresh gets ready to vote, she said the government class has “made me more aware of how leaders are elected and the different types of voting as well as how important it is to vote.”

Salzman says she hopes “that students understand the electoral process and feel empowered to effect change through their right to vote.”

In addition to the things Buresh has learned in class, she said she “will do some educating by looking up those running and go to their websites to see what their main goals and focuses are.”

 Voters should consider educating themselves on what will be on the ballot, so taking some time to read up on candidates and ballot initiatives can be a helpful way to prepare. 

This year, federal offices, statewide offices, courts and ballot initiatives will be on the ballot. 

The ballot initiatives include the legalization of cannabis, consumption or excise taxes, grocery items exemption, abortion ban, private education tax credits referendum, right to abortion, medical cannabis regulation and paid sick leave. 

To research each candidate and information about each ballot initiative, go to the Douglas County Election Commissioner website (https://www.votedouglascounty.com).

To register to vote, you can go online to Nebraska.gov, mail in your registration or go in person to the Douglas County Election Commission at 120th and Center. 

You must register to vote 18 days prior to the Election Day if going through online or mail-in registration and 11 days before if going in person. 

If you are not 18 by May 14, don’t fret, you are still eligible to vote in the primary election if you turn 18 by the general election on Nov. 5. 

“Voting in this May’s primary will give students experience to hopefully start a lifetime practice of political and civic engagement!” Salzman said.

Voting is an American right, and is not to be taken for granted.