I Asked First-Time Voters If They're Going With Kamala Harris Or Donald Trump, And Some Of The Responses Were Really Surprising

Hello, everyone! With 49 days until Election Day, we're back for another round of BuzzFeed's 2024 Election Diaries!

This weekly series highlights different groups of voters nationwide to find out what political issues are most important to them AND who they plan to support for president in 2024.

We asked first-time voters to anonymously share why this election is their first time voting and which candidate they're planning to support — Kamala Harris or Donald Trump.

Out of all voting groups in the Election Diaries series, first-time voters had the most significant divide between the two candidates, with 59% of respondents expressing support for Kamala Harris.

While 33.3% expressed support for Donald Trump.

Whether you agree with their political opinions or not, here's what 17 first-time voters had to say anonymously.

All images are AI-generated for anonymity. 

1."I immigrated to the USA in 1994 (legally with a green card) and never felt threatened in any way, nor did I feel like I was into politics and needed to vote. Fast-forward to our last election, I felt like my status here in this country (even with a green card) was compromised."

2."This election is my first time voting because I think we need a change. I’m making the most money I’ve ever made, and I’m still broke. I’m still undecided because, honestly, I hate both candidates; neither of them is good, but I have to choose between them. I’m still not sure who's gonna get my vote, but regardless, I’m voting."

3."I’m definitely supporting Harris/Walz as a first-time voter. I am female, and women, children, elderly people, and people from every walk of life will benefit under that administration, as opposed to another four years of Trump. Also, why vote for someone who can only be president for four years? Unless there is a secondary plan in action? It makes no sense to vote for Trump."

4."My main concern in my first election is immigration. Criminals are being let into our country by our own government. I'm voting for Trump because he wants to help the next generation. He wants the government out of schools like it used to be. They don't need to be told that they can change their gender. They need to be taught how to read and write."

5."The attempt by the Democrat party to hide a terrible candidate (Biden) from the voters and then try and ram through an unprepared and weak candidate (Harris) without a primary is very shady, and they should not be rewarded for their underhandedness."

6."I don't have a license and have struggled to get a valid ID previously, which is why this is my first election. Kamala supports women's rights, and at this point, that's the only thing I care about. I literally just want the right to my own body. I don't want the government to control it for me."

7."I am a dual citizen of the USA and Canada. When I was living in Canada, I did not know how to vote abroad. I just recently moved to California and plan to vote in person this November. I believe Harris will represent a historic milestone as the first woman, the first African American woman, and the first South Asian American to assume the office of President."

8."The illegal immigration has gotten really bad. Denver doesn't feel safe anymore, and it doesn't sit right with me. Furthermore, I recently just turned into a legal adult and started college. After college, I have dreams of owning a house (as a first-generation college student whose parents have rented their whole life). Under the Biden administration, prices have gone up, not only for houses but for basic necessities, too. I don't see myself being able to afford anything in this current economy."

9."This election is the first time I will be old enough to vote. My top issue is the environment, so I'm supporting Kamala. The Republicans have shown absolute disdain for any science about climate change and continue to push toward policies that will make this planet a very bad place to live once they're all no longer around to deal with it. Democrats seem to care a lot more about the current state of the environment and the future of it."

10."I left the US at 20 years old, and I didn't think it was right to vote in the US when I didn't live there, but this election is so important for the whole world that I feel it is necessary to vote. There needs to be a sane leader in the country, as this person will also be the most important leader in the world. I am not supporting Kamala because I agree with all of her beliefs, I am on the conservative side, although I think she will be good. I am supporting Kamala because she is the best alternative to Trump."

11."I wasn't previously motivated to vote before this election, honestly, but the hate, divisiveness, and negativity from the Trump campaign is ridiculous. Trump is poison to this country. He is emotionally and intellectually toxic. He only wants to make himself richer. Harris brings fresh energy, honesty, and wisdom back to the White House!"

12."I never found voting necessary before, but after what we’ve been through with this Biden/Harris administration, it'd be stupid not to realize they’re the problem. Democrats have had power in the White House for 12 out of the last 16 years, and they still blame Trump for everything wrong with the US, and they claim they know how to fix it."

13."I, as a young bi-poly woman, found out about Project 2025, which scared the crap out of me, so I wanna voice my opinion on the matter of securing LGBTQ+ rights this election. I'm voting for Kamala because she won't do anything bad to the LGBTQIA+ community, meaning I can continue to express myself freely."

14."I turned 18 last year, and I'm supporting Kamala Harris because she supports reproductive freedom and gun control, which are my two main issues as a 19-year-old college student studying education. I also can't support a narcissistic man like Trump, who only cares about himself."

15."This is my first election because I recently immigrated to the US. My top issue is ensuring that immigration laws are enforced. I believe Trump is going to send criminals and undocumented immigrants back to where they came from. If you want to come here, just do it legally and obey the law."

16."I'm voting for the first time in this election because we need a leader in the Oval Office. We were doing amazing under Trump's leadership and have only gone downhill with Biden and Harris. Trump proved he knows what needs to be done, and Biden and Harris have proved that they don't."

And finally...

17."I just turned 18 earlier this year, so this is my first opportunity to vote. I'm voting for Kamala Harris because I believe she's a better person and candidate than Trump. Trump is a felon, and he and Vance's comments and beliefs about women appall me as a female American and voter. I don't believe in abortion for moral/religious reasons, but I don't think men have a right to tell women what to do or not do with their bodies. And it's high time we had a female president!"

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and don't forget to vote!