For some high school seniors, this November will bring more than just another Election Day. It will be their first time walking into a polling station with ballots in their hands.
As Georgia prepares for the 2026 midterm elections, the state’s U.S. Senate race has drawn national attention. Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff ’05 is seeking re-election on Nov. 3 in a race that could decide which party controls the U.S. Senate. Recent polling has shown Ossoff leading his Republican challenger, Mike Collins, although the race remains an active campaign and could change before Election Day. Released earlier this month, it showed Ossoff leading Collins 56% to 43% among registered voters.
In fact, for students turning 18, the election can feel much more personal. For Zan Fooshee ’27, being able to vote means finally having a direct role in decisions that will shape the future. “Being able to vote means that I truly have a voice in decisions that could greatly affect our country’s future,” said Fooshee. “I feel like my opinions now have a greater impact.”
That new voice also comes with a sense of responsibility. Fooshee said she is “excited to have a say,” but recognizes voting means making “an informed decision.”
For Hattie Gegax ’27, becoming eligible to vote has already made the upcoming election feel more real. “I am registered to vote!” she said. Gegax explained how registering was surprisingly easy (she did it while waiting for her flight). “Voting is absolutely a new responsibility now that I am of the age,” Gegax says. “But it’s how a democracy works, so you gotta do it!”
The issues motivating some first-time voters are personal, too. Gegax noted that women’s healthcare and reproductive rights are especially important to her as she prepares to consider who is up for election and what is important to her while voting for the first time: “As a young woman now being able to vote, this is a big issue very close and important to me.”
For both Gegax and Fooshee, turning 18 has brought more than a new number on their driver’s licenses. Voting has become a way to feel more connected to the community and more involved in the decisions shaping their future, marking a new kind of participation in American democracy.
