Upon turning 18, teenagers instantly gain access to a wide range of opportunities they did not previously own: the ability to serve on a jury, the chance to purchase a lottery ticket and especially the right to vote. For magnet senior Sydney Ma, this exciting array of responsibilities arrived September 10, priming her for the next chapter of her life. Ma, who already registered to vote at age 17 ½, views her increased proximity to civic engagement as not only an important duty but as a right for all Americans to own and execute. 

“I registered to vote when I was 17[½]. The most recent thing that made me realize I need to vote was when Roe v Wade got overturned. I knew that this was something that was going to impact me especially because I was getting older, so I wanted to go ahead and register to vote [as soon as I could] to make a difference. I think it’s not only like a duty as a United States citizen but also since it’s a Presidential election year and I just turned 18, I felt like it was a sign for me to get out there and use my voice, one of our civic responsibilities as Americans,” Ma said.

In recent years, young people’s registration rates have significantly grown compared to previous elections, according to a survey conducted by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), over 57% of young people between the ages of 18 to 24 stand as extremely likely to vote. Additionally, CIRCLE found that youth who have the opportunity to expand their student voice in schools become increasingly inclined to vote. The article borrows a definition of a student voice that classifies it as a young person’s set of beliefs, viewpoints, values and culture that builds their character, and by harboring that skill, students can understand and interpret the world they live in and civically act accordingly. For Ma, these opportunities exist within arm’s length.  

As a member of NC’s International Studies magnet program, Ma took classes such as Honors Government, Advanced Placement (AP) United States History and magnet American Literature, where she learned about how government policies and citizen action can impact an individual’s outlook on democracy. An established leader, Ma serves as the Social Media Head and Co-Founder for one of NC’s prominent cultural clubs, the Asian Student Association (ASA). Through her work on the club’s Instagram, Ma helps to bring the NC community together with inclusive activities and appealing posts. Outside of NC, she also uses her appreciation for interconnectedness and understanding within the Civic Service Fellowship at the Rhizome, an organization that aims to increase the presence of youth in American democracy. As a fellow, Ma aids in coordinating events for the Greater Atlanta Chapter of Rhizome to bring in youth voters to the societal equation through voter drives and advocacy activities.

Ma believes in the significance of voting because it directly will impact not only her life but the lives of those she loves and cares for. As one of the first within her friend group to turn 18, Ma takes her responsibility seriously and recognizes the sacred nature of the Constitutionally insured privilege. By representing her classmates who may not yet own this civic ability, she sets a precedent for NC students to honor their right to directly engage in democracy.

“I’m voting for happiness. I think it’s important that I keep my spirits up, so I’ll frequently do things to ensure that I’m in a better mood either in the moment or long term, and it’s always important to me that I’m happy and that those around me are happy as well. I vote because I think it’s important for me to get involved with the things that are impacting my everyday life. So to everyone who is able to vote, or is in any way involved with the current election, I believe it is crucial to be educated and registered to vote because these are [policies] that are going to impact you for the next four years. If you are discontent with something that has happened, it’s important for you to get out there, get registered, and vote on Election Day,” Ma said. 

Well-equipped with optimism, drive and a heart for advocacy, Ma represents the urgency of young people showing up in this upcoming election. As she inches closer and closer to voting for the first time, she looks forward to leaving her voting location with a Peach State sticker and hope for the future.