As we approach the final two weeks before Election Day, I feel myself beginning to succumb to myriad feelings: excitement, nervousness, anticipation, and hope begin to swirl in my mind like a cookies and cream milkshake from CookOut. At least, I can assume. Based on the TikToks and X posts appearing on my timeline as of late, many Americans possess these same feelings — especially teenagers. 

As a young person not yet eligible to vote, engaging in conversations around voting or democracy during an election season can sometimes feel like your friends making plans in front of you without asking if you want to tag along. Attempting to curb that civically-induced loneliness can feel hopeless. Even as I pen this column, a sense of bitterness wafts over me; I would give anything from the top of my head to the tip of my toes to vote in this election! Alas, here I sit, fiddling on my keyboard until the day I finally turn 18 (which is in 96 days, but who’s counting?).

Despite my covetous feelings towards not being able to cast a ballot come November 5, “Why NC votes,” has served as a safe haven for me to express my joy and zeal for this democratic process. By learning about the motivations of my friends, teachers, and alumni who can vote, I am inspired by the impact that the NC community will be leaving on their respective polling places (or in their mailboxes through absentee voting). Writing this column has awoken a fire inside of me that’s reminiscent of an open 4th of July grill — a fire fueled by passion. 

When I look ahead to my democratic future, I am excited. Yes. I said it. In the face of my current feelings of desertedness in the 2024 election, I look hopefully toward all of how I’ll engage with the greater world around me. Not just for voting for the president in 2028 or my state senators in two years, but for my county commissioner, my local sheriff, or even the individuals who will collect my taxes (Well, maybe not that one as much. But you get the idea). There are so many different ways that a cote can count, from Special Option Local Purpose Sales Taxes (SPLOSTs) to municipal leaders. The power of the people accounts for so much on any ballot, and no ballot measure — I repeat, NO ballot measure — is small. I mean come on, isn’t that thrilling?

As November 5 creeps closer and closer, my hope for this last slew of “Why NC votes” articles can serve to inspire its readers, whether you’re young or old, voting or nonvoting, or anywhere in between on that spectrum. I hope that my internal exhilaration over the act of voting can come through my words — and leave anyone who visits my column feeling a little more hopeful. 

Ciara Whimbush