The voting process in our country is far from perfect, in fact it is one of the most archaic processes we use. The primary voting ballot, at least in California, resembles a lottery ticket with bubbles and numbers instead of candidate names. It is a process that is not uniform across states, subject to human error and even fraud.
Despite the many flaws in the system, I was more than eager to cast my first vote by participating in the California primary on June 7th, and to finally take part in our democratic process. Since I became of age to vote, George W. Bush and Barack Obama were elected president and I had no voice in the matter. At the time, I couldn't vote because I was undocumented, though in all ways I was an engaged citizen, yet I was not able to voice who I wanted to represent me, my community or my future.
This election season is of monumental importance and everyone can agree that this election cycle is far from "normal." As a first-time voter, entering this chaotic and messy process can feel confusing, and I questioned whether my vote really does count. For the last several months I heard from a multitude of surveys, polls, and reports concluding the nominees for Democratic and Republican Parties. Yet, I hadn't casted my vote. The night before the California primary, the media declared Hillary Clinton as the Democratic Party's nominee. Yet again, I hadn't cast my vote.
Following the delegation tally between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders has been a total disarray. The delegates and super-delegates process within the Democratic Party is a mathematical strategy all to itself. In California alone, 475 delegates were up for grab. Many made speculations and several came to their own conclusion based on arithmetic and informal surveys. But again, the results are not final, until they are final. The super delegates, after all, do not actually vote until the convention. Yet, every message I received from the media and punditry out there was that it was all done, before I even stepped into my polling station. I am sure that I wasn't the only first time voter yesterday and, perhaps, not the only first time voter that felt frustrated by all of the electoral chaos.