With election day just on the horizon, many young voters will be casting their ballots for the first time.
Whether it’s their first time ever casting a ballot or just their first time voting in a presidential election, the choice to vote can leave many feeling overwhelmed. 

“I learned that you know a lot of students are anxious about the upcoming election and it seems like a lot and that it’s hard,” said Isabelle Lyste, a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

Young voters, like Lyste, have had a lot on their minds this election season, like the cost of education, making the act of voting more important.

“You know tuition is a hardship and i see my friends go through it and I go through it. I’ve had to rely a lot on scholarships and working my butt off in the summer to be able to afford education,” said Lyste.

For voters of any age, learning more about the current potential candidates can reduce stress when it comes time to enter the ballot box.

“Do your research you know find which candidate kind of calls out to you. And definitely make sure to not just think about the presidential election but focus on down ballot votes. There are so many influential people who are you know running for senator assembly like congress,” said Lyste.

Minnesota and Wisconsin both offer sample ballots for voters to see who and what they are voting for prior to election day. With so many candidates, preparing a sample ballot early can also help voters know who to look for when doing their research.

 “What I plan to do is print out my sample ballot and fill it all out ahead of time so that when I go to the elections, I don’t have to worry about trying to remember which candidate to vote for,” said Lyste.

To find your local sample ballot in Minnesota, click here. In Wisconsin, click here.

In this 2024 General Election, WDIO is once again giving free television airtime to candidates in federal, statewide and regional races in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The candidates can take up to two minutes to speak directly to you, to help you make an informed decision on Election Day. We’ve offered free airtime to each participating candidate, and if they are not shown, they chose not to utilize this platform.
Click here to learn more about the candidates.