For first-time voters, it can sometimes be intimidating to vote in a Presidential election. Longtime voters may be viewed as more confident and informed.

At Wilkes University, however, first-time voters appear to buck this notion.

Kaitlyn Minet, a biochemistry major, said the 2024 presidential election has a much greater weight compared to other presidential elections. Nora Snyder, a biology major, is motivated by Rowe V. Wade and Project 2025. However, even when first-time voters feel compelled to vote, this does not mean that there are no roadblocks between going out to vote and actually filling out the ballot.

An issue that some first-time voters are concerned about is feeling overwhelmed in an election that is considered very contentious. Before voting, Patrick Shaffer, a Wilkes University freshman mechanical engineering major, briefly discussed that he feels somewhat overwhelmed. However, his believes he is still able to stand his ground and vote with his beliefs.

Another topic that has been heavily discussed in reference to the 2024 Presidential Election is access to information. With the increased usage of media sources across the internet and television, some first time voters feel as though access to information is easier than ever before. Snyder said she feels that information regarding politics and the 2024 presidential election is everywhere that she looks. However, she does not think a lot of the information is accurate.

Although some voters experience outside pressure from others that can potentially make them feel as though they are supposed to vote a certain way. However, Schaffer said that he did not feel as though that swayed his stance.

“There were a lot of signs out front of the polling place, but I voted with who I wanted because its my opinion,” Schaffer said, adding that he felt this way even though the distribution of signs was primarily for one candidate.

When looking at being a first-time voter in any election, voters may look toward longtime voters and even authority figures for guidance.

Wilkes-Barre Township Chief of Police Will Clark discussed advice he has for first time voters.

“Make sure you’re aware of whose oval you are either filling in or whose button you are pushing. Don’t just do it for the sake of because you were told by somebody else to vote for that question. Do your own homework. Look at the actual positions that the politicians are taking and see how they coincide with your own beliefs and the way you were brought up.”

Beacon staff member Brady Melovitz contributed to this story.