Reprinted from The Trumbull Times © Copyright 2009
October 29, 2009

By Jill Ornitz

For those of you who will be casting your ballots for the first time on Nov. 3 (of whom I am quite envious), you are about to enter a new realm: The realm of voting.

With voting comes a new level of understanding, power, and responsibility. As a new voter, one is finally given the opportunity to have their say in the way they believe a country, state, or town should be run through its leadership.

One vote truly does count, as it directs the course of an election, and decides what type of leadership the area receives. For Trumbull, one vote from a new voter helps decide our new first selectman, and ultimately, the future of Trumbull.

No pressure, guys.

However, fortunately the new voters of today seem ready and willing to face the challenge.

"Having the right to vote means a great deal to me," said Hillary Nigrosh, 18. "Knowing that I have a say in the politics of our town is very empowering. I also think that voting is not only a right, but a responsibility.

"People of voting age do not have the right to criticize and critique their elected officials if they did not exercise their right to vote. They could have a say in politics, especially town politics, yet some people think their voice is not heard. I feel that every voice counts."

Hillary makes a valid point. Unfortunately in our society, the vast majority of the voting population critiques their government, but according to the Federal Election Commission, only 56.8% of eligible voters casted a vote in the 2008 presidential election.

It seems a major fallacy has taken root in our country: The idea that one voice does not matter. On the contrary, one voice can make a difference.

In a message to teens not yet of voting age, new voter Chris Romano, 18, explains, "Give them [the government] something to talk about. Do not be afraid to speak out. More often than not, a student's voice has a much greater impact than an anonymous vote."

This unfortunate trend is even seen by those in government. Republican first selectman candidate Tim Herbst explains, "People have lost faith in government on all levels. A generation has to step up to the plate and turn things around. We're at that juncture currently, and it's going to take a new generation of leadership to lead our country to better days."

"Great people are engaged in the presidential elections. In order to keep Trumbull great, these same people have to vote," said First Selectman Ray Baldwin.

New voters currently have big plans and hopes for our town. Seth Nigrosh, 18, gets to the heart of this issue and says, "I'd like to think that my vote will help my preferred candidate feel like he has the support of a large part of the town and can actually get things done."

For Hillary, it's all about the students. "I hope that my vote will help elect someone who has Trumbull's, and Trumbull's students', best interests in mind," she said.

Chris Romano hopes his vote will give a voice to the majority of Trumbull's youth that does not have the opportunity to formally represent themselves.

"I hope that a young person's voice will offset some of the opposition to things like the Trumbull High School renovation," he said. "The truth is that most adults vote. Yet, the youth are just as affected, if not more affected, as the adults in this town by the decisions our local leaders make. Hopefully, my vote will help better represent the young folks."

On a closing note, Hillary, Seth, and Chris all have the same message to Trumbull's youth: Just because you cannot yet vote does not mean you cannot be involved.

"To those who cannot yet vote, I would say that it's definitely something to look forward to. You live in a country where you are able to be involved in a transparent democracy. Sure, things don't always go the way we'd like them to, but that's the beauty of voting: You can change what you don't like and support what you do. Voting is a privilege and a right. If we want to make our home better, we have to take it seriously," states Seth.

Hillary said that staying smart about the issues will make easing yourself into the political arena easier.

"I strongly encourage people who aren't of voting age yet to still be involved in town politics," she said. "Their voice can still be heard by writing letters and speaking at certain meetings. Now, I intend to make a difference in Trumbull by utilizing the many options I have in front of me, and one of them, I am very happy to say, is my right to vote."

Both first selectman candidates share similar sentiments about our town's newest voters.

"Your interests while voting should be vested in the community," Baldwin said. "Our newest voters have lived through good schools and with town backing have gotten to where they are today. It's important to keep that experience and leadership in town for future generations."

Herbst said, "We now have the greatest impact on our town. Unlike with presidential elections, town elections have the greatest impact on your life and the livelihood of your town. It's crucially important that a new generation steps up to the plate and makes Trumbull a great place to live."