BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) -- At Oak Mountain High School, some voters are getting ready to make their voice heard for the first time. And with less than 24 hours until polls open, they are making every second count.
"You guys are gonna be the superheroes that go out and fight America's gullibility," said Susan Schwartz, AP Government teacher at Oak Mountain High School. A day before the election, students in Schwartz's class are talking about what a victory could look like for each presidential candidate.
One student, Ryan Kozlek, said it's been a tense election year. "You can go on social media all you want and say what you want, but the real way to make action happen is to take action," he said. "And that action for a citizen is to vote."
Schwartz said it's about being an educated, not just informed- citizenry. "We are informed. We have social media now. We have the internet, we are overinformed," she explained. "And sometimes that information is inaccurate. In fact, we're studying that today... I think we need to be saying that we need to have an educated citizenry."
And Schwartz further explained that citizenry comes with an understanding of the constitution- and what political parties can and can't do.
"That involves education- and that is what has got to become our focus in teaching about elections," remarked Schwartz. And helping Americans who are already done with school."
When it comes down to the issues, first time voters had a lot to say.
"I know both people have said a lot of things," said Lane Falone. "I don't necessarily know what's true and what's not, but we can look at the facts of the past."
It really boils down to the economy," explained Luke Butts.
Parenthood, reproductive rights, just being a woman right now in the U.S. Those are important to me. I'm also concerned about the economy," said Katie Song.
"The main thing I'm looking at is the economy, which of course, is extremely important," remarked Hamilton Hiers.
Schwartz said she doesn't know how her students will vote, but she knows they are prepared. "You will, in 10 years, tell your family, your children, your grandkids- 'I voted in the 2024 general election. And it was a historical election,'" she said. "And we call them in AP Government critical elections."
Schwartz said it's important to check your facts and not fall for the first thing you see when it comes to the election. She said your vote is your voice, and your vote matters.