What issues matter to you the most in this election? Why?
That prices go down. I just saw something [that] showed the old Cane’s menu where it said that their old prices were 10 bucks for a Caniac meal, and now it’s 15. I don’t like that very much, and I’m a fan of Cane’s. Not my favorite, though, my favorite place would be Jimmy John’s, and they aren’t doing too good either.
How do those issues connect to your life and the lives of those you care about?
[Inflation] makes our pockets dry. I don’t make that much since I’m 14, but it’s affecting my parents who have jobs, and I don’t think that’s very good. I don’t like inflation; I saw eggs were 5 bucks at the store.
When did you first start caring about these issues? Was there an event that happened or a conversation you had that piqued your interest?
Last year, when I realized 100 dollars doesn’t go far at all.
If you could take a class on one or more of these issues or dig deeper through your own research, what else would you want to know? What questions would you want answered?
Probably Intro to Business, or Deca. How do taxes differ from each other?
What issues do other young people around you seem to be concerned with, whether you agree with them or not? In other words, when your friends and classmates are discussing something politics-related, what’s the conversation usually about?
Probably the same issue because when you’re in high school, money can be tighter for your personal needs, but my classmates wouldn’t be the best for it since we don’t have cars and don’t have extra responsibilities, like insurance, yet.
Do you think people your age can affect meaningful change regarding these issues? Why or why not? Have you ever taken any steps to try to address these problems?
Maybe, but it is kind of hard since we haven’t fully been through the issues. If we had cars and insurance we [and] had to pay, then probably, but I don’t know.
Have you been following the presidential race? Do you know where the two candidates, former President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, stand on your issues? Which candidate, if either, do you think will make positive changes to the things you care about? Why?
So far, it’s President Trump, but I’m not sure if he would fully resolve the issue. Vance seems more responsible and intelligent, [but] who knows.
Are there other candidates for local, state or federal offices who have the power to make positive change about the issues that matter most to you? Who are they, and why do you hope they are elected?
I don’t really follow state officials, but I would definitely keep the gambling legal because I saw some laws restricting gambling. I would like to go into the gambling industry.
Do you think young voters will be energized by the 2024 election? Do you predict that they will be motivated to vote this year? Why or why not?
Yeah, some of my teammates are going to vote, and this election has been more public to the younger people, so young voters would probably vote.
