Just in time for the big day.

Seniors at Bullitt East are beginning to turn 18, making them eligible to vote just in time for election day this year.

The voting process is very complicated, especially with mail-in ballots this year being used a lot more often due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Seniors were able to get help from adults around them and use their own research to help them vote this year. These new voters also had many different motivations behind voting in this election.

Absentee voting has become a lot more popular this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with states relaxing their regulations on who can request the ballot to anyone who may be scared of getting the virus. While the deadline for Kentucky to request an absentee ballot has already passed, you can still send in any filled-out absentee ballot you have as long as it is postmarked by November 3rd and received by November 6th.

In terms of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC has released some recommendations for how to safely vote this year. These include reinforcing a mask policy, social distancing, the use of single-use voting supplies, adequate sanitization of all voting materials that may be touched by multiple people, and more.

Seniors at Bullitt East were able to vote responsibly in part due to the help of their family members. “My mom and grandparents helped me a lot,” senior Shelby Timberlake said. Using their family’s guidance, students have been able to stay educated on the policies of each candidate in this year’s election.

In addition to some guidance from more experienced family members, seniors have also used their own research to form their opinions on voting this year. “I watched the debates and did research to see who will make America great again.” senior Mitchell Pickett said. Using their own research and some help around them, the seniors at Bullitt East have done a lot to make sure they are picking the best candidate for this year’s election.

New voters have many different motivations behind why they are going out (or staying in) and voting this year. “I just want what I think is best for this country,” Pickett said. With so many things at stake this election, many new voters just want a candidate that they think will be able to return the country to a state of stability.

Seniors at Bullitt East also come from many different backgrounds, which may influence their decision on who to vote for. “I have a lot of friends and family who are a part of the LGBTQ community, of different ethnicities, and are women, I believe it is important to vote someone who isn’t against someone loving whoever the hell they want to love and just being who they are,” Timberlake said.

Seniors are also motivated by the state of our country today in why they are voting. “I also believe this country needs a major change. We are failing our fellow Americans,” Timberlake said. With many different pressing issues such as police brutality, climate change, and LGBTQ rights at stake in this election, many find it important to pick the candidate that is best fit to deal with these issues in a mature manner.