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CHATTANOOGA (mocsnews.com)- With the importance of the Presidential Election that just took place on November 5, 2024, over two million people turned out to vote across America.
During voting season, many emotions can come about for new voters or experienced voters- one significant being anxiety.
Many people experience fear or anxiety for various reasons. Some of these reasons can include: not knowing the process, uncertainty of who to choose, or nervousness about the future.
Election anxiety among first time voters tends to be with uncertainty on the process.
“I was nervous because I did not know what to expect walking into the room. My mom had told me a little bit, but not a lot,” Maleah Stacey, first-time Tennessee voter, said.
A second reason behind election anxiety is with candidates and the future. This is one of the most common reasons due to fear of the opposite candidate being voted in.
“The APA’s latest Stress in America survey found that a majority of adults, 77%, said the future of the nation is a “significant source of stress in their lives,”” NBC News said. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/election-stress-anxiety-sleep-tips-rcna177665
America has grown in its divide among different parties as time has progressed. This has resulted in fear of what the opposing candidate from the opposite party would do if they got elected.
“Polarization, vitriol and an “us vs. them” mentality have soared in the public sphere,” UCI Counseling Center said. https://counseling.uci.edu/resources/virtual-resources/5343-2/
A third reason for anxiety among voters is not knowing who to vote for when they get into the polls.
When voting in elections, the ballots have several things someone is voting for besides just the President Elect such as amendments and senators.
Many people go into the room not knowing what they want to vote for in these areas, or some do not even know that will be on the ballot.
“The first time I voted I did not know what to vote for in some of the areas. I did research, but I still was unsure,” Evan Scott, second-time Georgia voter, said.
While anxiety can naturally occur with the voting time, there are many steps people can take to fight these stressors.
The most simple way to enter a stress free voting system is to know the steps of the process.
“Understanding the polls involves a few key steps…Register to Vote, Choose Your Party Affiliation, Research the Candidates, Understand the Issues, Check State-Specific Rights & Rules, Find Your Polling Place, and Cast Your Ballot,” Kathleen Curtis, Student Training & Education in Public Service, said. https://www.publicservicedegrees.org/college-resources/student-voting-guide/
Hand in hand with this, voters need to watch basic voting videos to refresh the process. If someone is a first-time voter, these videos will educate them on this process.
In addition to knowing the steps, using familiar resources, such as family, for advice can calm down nerves.
“Talk to family members because you have similar values, experiences, etc. Also, go with someone who has voted before so you do not feel alone,” Janet Swilley, experienced Georgia voter, said.
Election anxiety is a very common thing among people of all age groups and parties.
When taking steps to tackle election anxiety, it will result in a smoother and more confident voting process.
