Young New Hampshire voters are choosing action over apathy as they prepare to head to the polls in November to make their voices heard in the presidential election – and largely sticking to party lines.
Republicans and Democrats are split when it comes to the heart of why they are voting, with issues of inflation, immigration, abortion, foreign policy, gun control and women’s rights on their minds.
They are also split, on both sides, on how they feel about the candidates’ ages. For some, it’s not a factor, while others would have liked candidates closer to their age to be more in touch with their problems.
This will be the first time Democrat Emma Hansen, 21, a Salem resident attending Roger Williams University, votes in a presidential election. She would have liked to see younger candidates to choose from.
“I would like someone who is closer to my age and can resonate with the struggles young people are facing,” Hansen said. “While I do feel (President Joe) Biden is in tune, I wish he represented young people more.”
“My main concern with Biden is a little bit of his age, but the same can be said for Trump,” Hansen said. “The more prominent concern I have is the issue with the Palestine occupation. I don’t think that he’s handled that whole conflict very well, but I am still going to vote for him in November.”
In fact, Hansen said she’s been happy overall with Biden’s presidency and sees him as the person to uphold pillars of democracy.
For her, abortion, reproductive rights and climate change are important issues that will help guide her vote. She’s also concerned about protecting democracy and gun control.
Republican Ryan Donnelly, 21, a Salem native and student at the University of Lowell, isn’t satisfied with candidate selection on either side.
“I’m kind of disappointed in both parties for not being able to pull any other options,” Donnelly said. “Back in 2020, I was for a Trump reelection. Now I could really care less, but I’m probably going to vote along party lines.”
For him, it’s less who will lead the country and more the legislative branch that he will be thinking about when he heads to the polls. He’s worried about foreign spending and infrastructure.
Donnelly added that while he understands the importance of protecting foreign interests, he is looking for the country to invest domestically.
“When I think about why I go out and vote, it’s more about the legislative branch than the executive branch,” Donnelly said.
Young Republicans like Donnelly and New Hampshire State Rep. Valerie McDonnell, age 19, largely have inflation and the economy on their minds.
“We seem to agree the economy is the driving issue,” McDonnell, of Salem, said. “It’s a little bit difficult for people older than myself purchasing homes or even myself when I want to purchase a car or go to school.”
“I don’t think anyone can deny the fact that the inflation during the past administration has been through the roof,” McDonnell added.
McDonnell was elected as the youngest New Hampshire state representative in 2022. Although she helps make decisions at the state level, it will be her first time voting for president. She will cast her first presidential ballot for former President Donald Trump.
She said she took it upon herself to meet all the Republican candidates and as many Democratic candidates during the presidential primary cycle in order to be informed and make her choice in the voting process.
“I think there’s a level of apathy among my generation,” McDonnell said. “A lot of that comes from how divided we are as a nation politically.”
McDonnell said the more young people become involved in politics, like attending town meetings, the more they realize their voices matter.
Like McDonnell, 17-year-old Salem resident Jovanna Flaherty has seen her interest in politics grow since getting involved locally.
The Salem High School senior will register as a Democrat in July.
She said it’s a moment she has waited for since becoming involved with different political groups.
In Salem, she’s a member of the town’s Democratic Committee. She is also the president of Salem Student Democrats, and expansion and engagement director of New Hampshire High School Democrats.
Civil rights, women’s reproductive rights, gay rights, and immigrant rights are forefront issues for her. A big thing for Flaherty is ensuring the success of bipartisanship when she heads to the polls in November.
Flaherty said she will cast her first presidential vote for Biden in support of what he’s done in his first term.
“He did a lot to help people out of COVID, getting vaccinations out there and also keeping us out of the war in Ukraine,” Flaherty said.
But Flaherty added she’s worried others can’t get past Biden’s age when they vote in November.
“I’m a little nervous, more because I know there are certain factors like age that will play a role in how people vote in the election,” Flaherty said.