First-time voters ready to vote

They've watched the debates, talked face-to-face with candidates and held mock elections. Now Carson High School seniors are ready for the real thing.

"I listened to some of the debates, and what Bush and Gore had to say made me sick," said 18-year-old Mike Moore. "I'm voting Nader all the way."

Moore is one of 217 18-year-olds registered to vote in Carson City.

"My vote can make a difference - if not anything more than just saying I think we need a change," he said.

John Sullivan, who teaches American government at Carson High, said the staff encourages students to make voting a priority in their lives by explaining the election process and covering the races.

"It increases their awareness of living in a participatory democracy and being able to voice their opinions through voting," said teacher John Sullivan. "We're teaching them civic virtue and how easy it is to get involved."

It's even easier this election for students to get involved by registering to vote.

Last spring, government teachers took the classes necessary to become official registrars. Interested students can register to vote in their regular classes.

"It only takes about five minutes," Sullivan said.

James Scott, 18, said he registered to vote to be the first one in his family to take an active role in politics. He said being in high school helps students make a more informed decision.

"It's cool just because we also get to learn about everything in class so we know more about it than most people, instead of just going to the ballot box and voting," Scott said.

Others will have to wait another year to be eligible. Desiree Shepherd turned 18 on Oct. 22, about two weeks after the Oct. 7 deadline to register.

"In my situation it's kind of harsh," she said. "I turned 18, but I still don't get to vote."

However, that doesn't mean she lacks an opinion on election issues.

Shepherd said the most important responsibility linked to voting is to prevent discrimination of any kind. She sees the proposition to ban gay marriages as discriminatory.

"It's narrow-minded people that say you have to be male and female to be married," she said. "I believe in the Bible, but I don't believe in discrimination. I would vote no."