Originally published 10.26.22

Aug. 4, 2020, is a day I remember like it was yesterday. 7:03 a.m., groggy, half-dressed, still in my basketball shorts from the night before and not having had a chance to put in my contacts yet. I walked into the Mecosta Township Hall rec room, filled out a card and flashed my ID. Moments later, I was standing in a booth, sharpie in hand, voting for the first time.

I had been looking forward to this day since I was 13 years old. Sure, voting in a primary isn’t thrilling on its own, but voting in 2020, and for the first time no less, made it an unforgettable experience. I meticulously bubbled in my choices, taking special care not to cross vote, and fed my ballot into the tabulator with a huge grin across my face.

I wore that “I voted” sticker like a badge of honor that Tuesday. I finally got to use my voice by way of my vote. Even though I was just one vote in an election that had a turnout of just over 2.5 million voters in this state alone, I felt like I was a part of something bigger.