Pulse of the Voters: High schoolers weigh in on upcoming election

Mar. 17—ASHLAND — Local high school students in an AP Government class had plenty of thoughts on the 2024 presidential election.

Alexandra Ellison, 17, a student at Ashland Blazer, said if it comes down to Donald Trump and Joe Biden, she "probably would not go vote." She said people lack knowledge because they don't research information.

"We have our districts gerrymandered to the point where we aren't people voting; we are numbers and tallies," Ellison said. "It doesn't matter if I vote, it doesn't matter if 30 people in this room go vote, it doesn't matter if 1,000 people go vote. Things aren't going to change because people aren't informed."

Ellison said she is concerned with the United States' foreign presence, its motivations in foreign wars and how the United States prioritizes federal spending.

"People don't go to the primaries, but they go to the general election. By the time the general election hits, everyone realizes, this sucks, we are choosing between two people who are 77 and 81," she said.

Connor Amos, 17, also a student at Ashland Blazer, said the only reason he would be voting Democrat is because it's the "lesser of evils."

"With certain events happening like Jan. 6, I believe there is a certain amount of worry I may have for either side winning," Amos said. "I would have to vote for Biden."

"Heavily left" in party lines, Amos said, when it comes to a label, he does not like the "idea" of that.

"Mostly for the fact our two-party system is inherently flawed. Trying to fit myself into that broad spectrum is useless," he said. "The growing issue of the two-party system is dividing us, especially around here.

"People are very, very OK nowadays with dehumanizing the other side," he added. "It's a big concern considering some livelihoods, and some rights could be at stake."

Landon Mefford, 18, originally from Maysville, is an Ashland Blazer student. He expressed disappointment over the 2024 presumptive presidential nominees.

"I am disappointed with the parties of who the nominations were," Mefford said. "Somebody who would have been better for the Democrats would have been Michelle Obama or Andy Beshear. For the Republicans, I wish they would have run Mike Pence instead of Trump."

Mefford said he will be casting his vote for Biden.

"I will be voting for Joe Biden, I like his stance on abortion. The overturning of Roe v. Wade wasn't what our country needed. I also like his stance and think he would do a better job on relieving debt and interest rates or student loans," he said.

Ashland Blazer student Benjamin Katterheinrich, 18, said gun rights is his main concern ahead of the November election.

"I am concerned with taking away more and more gun liberties than we are guaranteed," he said. "I think he can be a little aggressive and over the top at times, but I think out of the two he would be the best choice. I am fairly disappointed in the candidates produced. If it did come down to Trump or Biden, I would vote for Trump. I tend to stand more on the conservative side of things."

Samuel Tibbitts, 18, of Ashland and a student at Ashland Blazer, said he will support Trump because of the business side of things, focusing on the economy.

"I would favor Donald Trump solely because he is a businessman," Tibbitts said. "In a time of gas prices, wars and the economy, we need somebody who has that business format to take care of, make deals and set the country right again."

(606) 326-2657 — ajohnson@dailyindependent.com