Following a first-time voter: an inside look at the polls

Olivia Zellner | The Chronicle

Photos contributed by Olivia Zellner MHS senior Madison Day walking into the polls at Grace Chapel past a variety of

Every four years, millions of young voters step into the voting booth, each neatly filled-in bubble holding the potential to shape a future they have only just earned a voice in.

With the 2024 presidential election falling near the 18th birthday of many Mason High School (MHS) seniors, students flocked to the polls. For many of them, this election marks a pivotal moment in their journey to adulthood, as they finally have an outlet to directly influence the future of their nation. One of these first-time voters is MHS senior Madison Day, who not only casted her vote, but turned 18 on November 5th, 2024’s election day. Although Day has been using her voice for various causes for many years, she said the right to vote has granted her an even more meaningful way to use her voice.

“I feel like finally being able to vote gave me the chance to express my beliefs in a more concrete way that I haven’t been able to before,” Day said. “It’s an experience I was really grateful to have.”

Unlike many Ohioans, Day chose not to vote early. She said the experience of voting at a polling location, paper-to-pencil, made the milestone all the more meaningful. The opportunity wasn’t just about filling in a bubble, she said—it was about using her voice as a part of the new generation of voters, eager to make a difference.

“I had the opportunity to do an absentee ballot, but I wanted to go in-person,” Day said. “It felt so much more real, like I am doing this, I am being an active part of our country.”

For many first-time voters, casting a ballot this year meant navigating a maze of conflicting headlines, debates, and political noise. And like many people across America, Day said she wanted to ensure her choice was well-informed and a true reflection of her values. 

“You hear so much information coming from both sides, especially on social media, and it was difficult to figure out how I felt about certain topics,” Day said. “Instead, it became about finding my own voice.”