While there are many milestones for high school seniors, there’s one in particular that some will achieve today: the right to vote.

Amid the political landscape, rhetoric, debates, rallies and more, several Austin High School and Pacelli High School seniors are now 18 years old and can legally cast their ballots at the polls for the first time. As a young, new generation of informed adults, they can now have their voices heard through a simple act of voting.

Recently, Austin High School held mock elections which reflected how the student body would have voted for several candidates listed at the varying degrees of government for Nov. 6.

Read more about how these students are ready for their first time at the polls:

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Cassity Nangle, 18

The Austin High School senior grew up with a family that was “big into politics” and had personally been involved in a student organization she put together called “Students for Change.” She helped organize a walkout in the midst of school shootings that happened across the country.

Through this process, Nangle felt she became more informed and aware of how to engage others as well as learning more about issues that could affect herself and fellow classmates. However, she did note she often felt adults looked down at her because of her age.

“They’re discounting us (younger voters),” Nangle said. “We’re an educated generation, it’s really empowering to be able to vote.”

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Ian Murphy, 18

When Murphy began researching candidates, he knew his parents leaned strongly in “one direction of the political spectrum” but the Austin High School senior wanted a chance to vote on a candidate based on the qualifications he or she presented, rather than voting on party lines.

Throughout the researching process, Murphy felt it was hard not to be engaged in politics. He remembered trying to watch YouTube videos, and having political ads pop up halfway through. However, Murphy felt this November, younger voters were more energized to get out and vote.

“In the past, I honestly didn’t really pay much attention,” he said. “Now, I’m actually able to participate and be able to possibly influence legislation since now I have a say.”

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Claire Heichel, 18

Politics played a big part in Heichel’s life, mostly through her mother’s credit. She also recounted meeting a Gold Star mother who had instilled in her to “exercise your civic duty.”

The Austin High School senior noted the toxic political landscape, where rhetoric and division had led to a rather intense election cycle. She knew going into the elections for the first time, there’d be pressure, but she didn’t find it coming from her loved ones or friends.

Heichel rather found herself developing her own political stances that were different from others, or the ones her family had instilled in her while growing up. She now will be able to make her own decisions on the candidates she best feels will perform the best in forwarding progress.

One of the races she’s keen on watching is the local school board race, and how candidates would address the growing student enrollment, and spacing needs.

“It was drilled into me that it was super important to vote,” Heichel said. “I don’t think a lot of people realize how important it is to vote.”

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Pal Koak, 18

Koak had several discussions with friends at Riverland Community College about the crippling amount of student debt, and how these elections could affect them in the future. With excitement, Koak expressed he was ready to vote and have his voice matter.

“I’m watching the state positions because these candidates can affect our tuition, and so we wanted to focus on the immediate area,” Koak said. “Many of us are worried on how students will be affected.”

Another issue the 18-year-old student had expressed was the division or voting along party lines that could ultimately impede getting anything done. He wanted to vote because he felt he was ready to make his voice heard.

“We will take stand in what we believe is right,” he added.

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Marissa McConnell, 18

What prompted McConnell to cast her vote for the first time was the issue of school safety. The Pacelli senior remembered the string of school shootings in the previous year, and felt it was important for her to cast her vote for individuals who are doing everything they can to improve student safety in school.

“I have a lot of opinions and I want to get them out there,” McConnell said. “I felt that since there may not be a lot of students who aren’t able to vote because of their age, that I should be able to speak up for them and put out their voice at the polls.”

McConnell reflected on the hateful rhetoric and division that saturated the elections. Seeing more personal attacks against opponents rather than disagreement on policies, she hoped there would be a shift in the landscape once more people cast their votes.

“I’m privileged to vote,” she said. “It makes me excited to see what impact I could have.”

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Austin High School Mock Election Results

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Federal Offices

US Senator (expiring 2025)

• Jim Newberger 298
• Amy Klobuchar 368
• Dennis Schuller 336
• Paula M Overby 99

US Senator (expiring 2021)

• Karin Housley 298
• Tina Smith 381
• Sarah Wellington 343
• Jerry Troolen 76

US Representative

• Jim Hagedorn 504
• Dan Feehan 566

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State Offices

State Representative

• Christine Green 459
• Jeanne Poppe 593

State Auditor

• Pam Myhra 272
• Julie Blaha 299
• Michael Ford 370
• Chris Dock 118

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

• Jeff Johnson and Donna Bergstrom 309
• Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan 443
• Chris Wright and Judith Schwarrtzbacker 258
• Josh Welter and Mary O’Connor 81

Secretary of State

• John Howe 366
• Steve Simon 418
• William Denney 280

Attorney General

• Doug Wardlow 381
• Keith Ellison 363
• Noah M. Johnson 325

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County Offices

County Auditor

• Scott A. Felton 509
• Steve Reinartz 524

County Recorder

• Jill Cordes 919

County Sheriff

• John Bachman 531
• Steven Sandvik 482

County Attorney

• Kristen Nelson 877

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City Offices

Council Member At Large

• Jeff Austin 644
• Susan Fell Johnson 344

Utility Board (2 Seats)

• Jeanne F. Sheehan 503
• Steve Greenman 453
• Geoff Baker 401

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School District Offices

School Board Member (4 Seats)

• Kathy Green 463
• Ojoye O Akane 297
• Curtis Schmit 319
• Aaron DeVries 280
• Peggy Young 439
• Don Fox 317
• Angie Goetz 430