Kale Kelley first considered the right to vote when he was introduced to the election process in seventh-grade American History class.
Now, five years later, Kelley, one of 11 Cleveland seniors who were eligible to vote this year as 18-year-olds, put what he learned into practice when he headed to his polling place last Tuesday to cast his first ever ballot.
“I was excited to voice my opinion on how our government is run.”
Kelley said the presidential race was the most important for him with the economy and immigration laws being key issues.
“My vote could dictate my life and the lives of others around me, especially my future as a young adult.”
To decide which candidates best fit his bill, Kelley watched the debates and listened to how candidates publicly responded to questions about current issues. He recommends all voters keep adequately informed.
“I highly support citizens doing research before voting instead of going in blind and off of what they've heard from others around them.”
Along with the rest of his family on November 5, Kelley headed to his designated polling place, the township hall in Cordova, east of Cleveland. He had registered at the Nicollet County courthouse beforehand. While he was one of over 147 million registered voters around the USA—and 19,000 in Le Sueur County—he knows his vote mattered, not only in state and local elections but nationally as well.
“If I didn't vote, and the candidate I thought would have won ended up losing, it would be on me, and I couldn't complain about the next four years.”
With all his classes, social studies teacher Casey Olson reviewed how an election works. He especially encouraged the seniors in his economics class to learn about the candidates and vote.
“I ran through what the process looks like: here’s what to expect. I try to make sure everyone is informed and has faith in the election process.”
About 40 percent of eligible voters around the country don’t exercise their right to vote, enough to sway most elections. A week before November 5, former Cleveland social studies teacher and now substitute teacher Greg Davis reminded seniors that their vote matters.
“The 2000 presidential race between Bush and Gore came down to about 500 votes,” Davis said.
Kelley said a couple of considerations could improve voter turnout among people in his age group.
“One factor is being educated and confident in making their own choices. Another factor could be having an elder or someone who will vote with you teach you how to vote correctly.”
One of a series of reforms that extended the right and ability to vote, the 26th constitutional amendment of 1971, largely in reaction to the large number of 18-20-year-olds fighting in Vietnam, changed the voting age from 21 to 18.
Above: Kale Kelley with his family outside the Cordova township hall: mom Alana and her husband Bill Janssen and sister Jersie Kelley. (photo courtesy of Jersie Kelley)