North Texas Daily

The 2018 midterm election season has stood out by shattering voter registration records, early voting turnout rates and now a rising young voter turnout. According to a poll from the Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics at Harvard University, an estimated 40 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds reported themselves “likely” to vote Nov. 6.

As the record-breaking months come to a head on Election Day, those residing on the UNT campus lined up outside the Denton Wesley Foundation. This is the polling place for those in precincts 4045 and 4004 — primarily students living in the dorms.

Math senior Sarah Vasquez said the on-campus polling location is “really convenient.” 

“I think it’s really neck-and-neck right now,” Vasquez said in reference to the senatorial race between Representative Beto O’Rourke and incumbent Ted Cruz. “I think it’s going to be really close. The push to vote is much more important now than it has been in the past.”

Younger voters like communication design freshman Chloe Mendoza focused more on the atmosphere surrounding the voting process. Mendoza said she is “very decisive” and “feels strongly” on the candidates she plans to vote for.

“The line is long,” Mendoza said. “I don’t know what to expect on the inside but it seems like everyone’s friendly.”

Mendoza said voting is important to her for the purpose of having a say and fulfilling one’s civic duty. As the line ebbed and flowed, other voters reflected on the election season as they went to cast their ballot. 

“I think it’s been a pretty decent election so far, pretty good debates throughout,” mechanical engineering senior Evan Devora said. “Some others have stronger points than the others. I really like the voter turnout. It’s really inspired people to come out and actually exercise their right. I think that’s what this country needed and what the state needed.”

Featured Image: Students lining up to vote at the Denton Wesley Foundations student center on Maple St. on Nov. 6. Jordan Collard