Teen voter continues family tradition

Yesterday's general election was Daniel Housen's first time dipping his finger in the ink, but the 18-year-old Gayle, St Mary, resident said the experience was "nothing exceptional".

The new voter, who cast his ballot at the Gayle Primary School, told THE STAR that the process took him about half an hour.

"Mi whole family a Labourite so mi just come vote. Mi don't have any special reason why mi vote but it was a experience," Housen admitted.

While Housen voted mainly out of family tradition, another first-time voter who did not wish to give his name said he had clear reasons why he was sticking with the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

"I'm young and I have a job as a planner. I draw plans, and I got my job through the government," he explained. "I have a job that is secured so why would I vote for another party?"The young man told THE STAR that it wasn't only about employment, but about how the government has handled other pressing issues.

"Look at the crime rate. It not perfect, but at least mi see effort from the Government fi deal wid it," he said. "An mi cyaan complain 'bout tax breaks either, because dem things deh help man like me weh just a start life."

Encouraging his peers to think critically before making their choice at the polls, the young planner said youth and new voters must consider what really matters to their future.

"Fi me, a job, safety and less taxes important. That's why mi say Labourite," he said.

The St Mary Western division, where both young men voted, saw a slow but steady stream of persons passing through polling stations throughout the day. Last night, incumbent Robert Montague retained the seat.

- T.P.