Abilene’s first time voters contribute to the 2024 Presidential Election

ABILENE, Texas ( KTAB/KRBC ) – Voting is not only a right but also a privilege, and for some, this privilege holds more significance than many realize. This election cycle witnessed an increase in voter turnout, with not only first-time voters due to age but also new voters based on their citizenship status.

One such individual is Ricardo Gutierrez, a business owner and Redcoat Ambassador for the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. After years of hard work, he recently gained his American citizenship and cast his ballot in a United States presidential election for the first time.

"Seeing the United States was a haven itself. Seeing what the greatest country looked like from the outside, now me being part of this country, it's not just my rights but a privilege," Ricardo shared.

Ricardo's son, Malachi Gutierrez, is a naturally born citizen who, because of his age, also got the opportunity to vote for the first time.

"It was really good. You just walk in there, and you're like, 'Oh, man, this is kind of nerve-wracking,' but you're doing it with a family member. I was with my father doing it. It was just a sense of pride," Malachi said.

Chris Arredondo, a first-time voter, was recently naturalized as a U.S. citizen during a ceremony on National Citizenship Day this year. He expressed his excitement about participating in the political process, stating that exercising his right to vote was one of the final steps in feeling truly like an American citizen.

"I feel now, like officially, the American dream that you can vote because as a citizen now you can be part of a voice for this country. So, it's the last step, and it actually makes me feel proud," Arredondo said.