Voting is often talked about as one of the easiest ways to make a difference with just one choice, one ballot and a chance to have your voice heard.
But in reality, it doesn’t feel the same for everyone. For some people, voting is simply a habit they’ve developed over the years. For others, it depends on things like their schedule, awareness of the issues or confidence that their vote will actually matter.
As Ohio’s May 5 primary gets closer, these different perspectives are becoming more noticeable. Some people have voted early or plan to show up on Election Day. Others are still undecided about whether they’ll take part at all. Some feel a strong sense of responsibility, while others feel unsure, overwhelmed or disconnected from all the information surrounding elections.
Luke Slone
For Luke Slone voting is still something he is trying to figure out. He said politics has never really been a big part of his life, especially since neither he nor his family were very politically involved.
“I haven’t really been planning on voting,” he said. “I’ve never been very political, and my family wasn’t either, so it’s just not something I grew up around.”
Even so, Luke said he is not completely against the idea of voting. If he does decide to participate, he said early voting would likely be the most convenient option for his schedule. He also said he prefers the idea of in-person voting because it feels more real and engaging.
“It just feels more real when you go in person,” he explained. “It makes it feel like you’re actually part of something, and it brings a little more excitement to it.”
Luke admitted that he hasn’t been following the election closely, which makes him feel less prepared to vote. However, he still understands the importance of participation in general.
“I do think voting is important because it gives you a voice, and if more people show up, those votes can really make a difference,” he said.
Faustin Muhire
For an international student at Sinclair College majoring in nursing, voting is something Faustin Muhire is still getting familiar with as he adjusts to life in a new country.
“I’m still learning how things work here, so I don’t really have a plan to vote yet, but I know it’s something important for people who can,” he said.
Even though he is not actively involved, Muhire said he respects the idea of voting and understands why people take it seriously.
He said that if he were more comfortable with the process, he would likely prefer in-person voting because it would help him better understand how everything works firsthand.
He also thinks that being informed is very critical.
“I think before anything, you need to understand what’s going on,” he said. “Once you know that, you can really see why voting matters.”
Bishowraj Poakhrel
For Bishoraj Poakhrel, an international F-1 student and IT assistant in the Sinclair library, voting is something he approaches with clear intention and interest. He always plans to vote in his home country and would prefer early voting because it fits better with his schedule.
Poakhrel said he stays somewhat aware of what is happening, but he doesn’t focus heavily on every race or candidate. Instead, he looks at the bigger picture when making decisions.
“Yes, of course I’m voting,” he said.
He said he pays attention to candidates’ past work and how committed they seem to helping people, rather than just what they say during campaigns.
“The most important part is looking at what they promise, what they’ve done in the past, and their capability,” he said. He also made it clear that if he ever chose not to vote, it would not be because of lack of interest, but because he might feel that the candidates are not strong enough.
Still, he strongly believes in participation and the importance of every vote.
“Every single vote and voter matters,” he said.
Based on these three experiences, voting means different things to different people. Some like Poakhrel are ready and committed to voting, some like Slone are still unsure, and others like Muhire are focused on understanding candidates more deeply before fully engaging.
Even with these differences, they all agree on one thing—voting matters. Whether it’s about having a voice, staying informed, or learning the process, each perspective shows that civic participation is a personal matter of public importance.
Monsoon Koirala, reporter
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