With the 2024 election coming up, I decided to sit down with my friend Landon to hear his thoughts on it. I asked him if he actually cared about the election or if it was just something he wasn’t paying attention to. Landon says he cares more than he thought he would. “It feels like there’s so much at stake this time,” he explains. “We’re at a point where things are either gonna get better, or they could get way worse. I’ve been paying attention, mostly to the candidates and their views on stuff like climate change and the economy. But sometimes it’s hard to really get into it when it feels like both sides are just yelling at each other all the time. I wish they’d actually focus on real solutions instead of just tearing each other down.”

I then asked him if he thought his vote would make a difference, especially since he won’t be able to vote until the next election. Landon says, “I mean, I’m still figuring it out, honestly. I’ll be 18 by the next election, so I can vote then, but it’s a big responsibility, you know? I feel like my vote does matter, but with everything going on, it’s hard to know who to trust. There’s a lot of misinformation, and people don’t always tell you the full truth. But yeah, I want to make sure I’m voting for someone who’ll actually make a change, not just talk about it. So, I guess it’s all about really doing the research and not just following the hype.”

I asked him if he thought this election would be different from others, and he said, “Definitely. It feels like the stakes are higher, and more people are talking about it. The world is changing, and I think we’re finally realizing that it’s not just the older generations who need to care—it’s us too. Even though I can’t vote yet, I’m definitely gonna be paying attention so that when I can vote, I’ll make an informed decision. It’s crazy to think about how much power one vote can have, but it also feels a little overwhelming, to be honest.”

Later, I asked Landon if he thought people his age were interested in the election or if they just didn’t care. He laughed and said, “Honestly, a lot of people my age don’t really care. I think they feel like it’s not gonna affect them directly, or they just get bored with all the politics stuff. But I do know some of my friends are super passionate about it, especially when it comes to things like climate change, equality, and student loan debt. We’re seeing more of us get involved, but I think a lot of people just don’t know where to start. It’s like, there’s so much information, and it’s hard to figure out what’s true and what’s not.”

I then asked him if there was any one issue he thought was the most important right now. Landon paused for a second, then said, “For me, it’s definitely climate change. Like, we’ve been hearing about it for years, and nothing’s really been done. I feel like if we don’t do something soon, it’ll be too late. I mean, I’m still young, and I wanna be able to have kids one day and not worry about natural disasters or crazy weather. Plus, it’s not just about the environment, it’s also about the economy and jobs. Clean energy could change everything, but it feels like some people just don’t take it seriously enough.”

I wanted to know if he thought the candidates were doing enough to address those issues, especially climate change. Landon says, “Honestly, I think some of them are trying, but not nearly enough. Some candidates talk a big game about saving the environment, but then you look at their plans, and it’s like, ‘That’s not gonna cut it.’ I think a lot of politicians are too focused on things like keeping the economy going the way it is, which is kind of short-sighted. It feels like they care more about getting votes than actually fixing the problems. The right person in office could make a huge difference, but I don’t know if they’re out there right now.”

Finally, I asked Landon how he felt about the whole idea of voting when he turns 18. He seemed excited but also nervous. “It’s a big deal, you know? I’ve been thinking about how I want to vote, and there’s so many things to consider. It’s not just about the person who has the best catchphrases or who I think is ‘cool.’ I want to make a choice that helps the country move forward in the right direction, but at the same time, it’s overwhelming to know that my vote could actually matter that much. I’m definitely going to take the time to research and figure out what the candidates really stand for, even if it’s a lot of work.”