As my first time voting, I did not quite know what to expect from the process. I had seen my parents and older siblings come home with the iconic “I Voted” sticker countless times, but I had never really found myself eagerly awaiting my day at the ballot.
In my head, I had figured voting would be like going to the DMV. I assumed the process would be characterized by long lines and a hectic room full of frustrated, impatient anticipation and maybe a few casual debates.

Lizzie Hancock

However, as reality came along I instead found myself in a nearly empty recreational church room with only one other voter present at the time. My drivers license was taken by a cheerful elderly woman, and I was handed a folder containing my ballot and was instructed to stand behind a small divider.

Lizzie Hancock

My ballot was three pages long, prompting me to vote for not only the President but also a multitude of state legislators and local positions. I filled my papers out like a testing scantron, then sent it into a machine to be counted electronically.
After being handed my sticker, I left the voting arena with my visit totaling up to about 10 minutes, it was not nearly as big of a deal as I had assumed it was. Throughout my voting experience, I learned that the process itself is not what is important, but participation in the country I have lived in my whole life is what the big deal is about.
Being 18 years old, I am no longer a bystander and am finally able to have a say in what happens, and it feels great to know that whatever the outcome of this year’s election will be, I had an influence and could put my opinion into action.