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The Voices Of First-Time Arizona Voters

First-time voters in Arizona are an important bloc in what’s considered a battleground state for the 2020 presidential election.

KJZZ will be talking to these young voters leading up to November's Election Day to see not just who they’re choosing but how they’re arriving at that decision.

My name is Daira Pacheco, I am a senior at University High School in Tolleson, Arizona. I am a first generation Mexican American. My parents came from Guanajuato, Mexico.

Well, I currently, in my plans, I want to go to college and major in pre-medicine, and hopefully some day become a pediatrician. I registered to vote the same day I got my license. After the way things went down last election, I kind of want to have a say in this. And most importantly, these last years there have been a lot of issues coming up in which I feel that teenagers have a strong opinion, but it hasn’t been taken into account. And I really wanna have a say in this election.

Because like I already mentioned, I am a first generation Mexican American. And I can see — like seeing all these reports on the news about how these young children are being separated from their families and, or how families are torn apart, or how people are dying as they try to get to the United States — it’s very sad to see. And also, it's kind of hard, too. It's also close to my heart, because of my family. And close family friends that I do have that I know are scared because of this, that they have to live their lives this overwhelming fear that someday they could get kicked out of the country.

I already ... voted for my primaries, and I did choose Bernie [Sanders].

My name is Analicia Zamora Castro. I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and I attend Sierra Linda High School as a senior. I am currently at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum where 2020 presidential candidate Bernie Sanders just spoke.

This is my first time voting in the election. I registered to vote to ensure my community is advocated for on a legislative level and to hold my elected government officials accountable.

Today’s rally was absolutely empowering. At the end of the rally, Sen. Sanders’ words regarding the movement for the people, by the people, really stuck with me. As we prepare to vote in the Arizona primaries I look forward to continue being active for the Sanders' campaign and engaging young voters through hosting registration drives at my high school, and having them fill out accountability sheets where they inform local government officials of the issues they are passionate about. The solidarity shared at the rally tonight has fueled a fire in me to ensure that the United States needs a government that works for all and not for the few.

Fronteras Desk senior editor Michel Marizco is an award-winning investigative reporter based in Flagstaff.