The Presidential Election is over and many are in shock while others expected the results to be the way they are. It’s no secret that the 2016 election was very controversial compared to others. Donald Trump prevailed, winning the majority vote from US senate, the US House of Representatives and the popular vote from Americans over the age of 18.

Of course for many, this was their first time being able to vote in a Presidential Election.

“It’s kind of nerve racking,” senior Elizabeth Smith said. “There is all of this pressure to know exactly who I was going to vote for way in advance. Me, honestly, I didn’t really know who I was going to vote for right until I went right up and did it. You have to weigh not only their policies, but also how you view them as a person and what their future decisions are going to look like. Because they could say something now based on their personality it might change later.”

This election is of most importance because it affects our future as well as those after us. However, it is believed by many that their vote doesn’t matter and will not change the outcome, causing them to choose not to vote which drastically affects the results.

“Not voting is basically throwing away your opinion,” Smith said. “When you throw away your opinion you lose everything that’s good about democracy.”

Rouse held a mock election during advocate on Monday, November 7, to let students have a voice even if they are not of age to vote in the real election. The voter turn out ended up being relatively low, for only 26% out of our 1999 students voted, most likely of the negativity spreading from this election.

The results concluded Trump as President as chosen by the school with 40.4% of the votes cast. Clinton received 27.3 of the vote while the write in presented 22.1% of the votes with US History teacher, Michael Hjort receiving 55 of the 111 that were cast.

“I thought ‘I qualify so why not put me in?’” Hjort said. “I’m over 35, am a natural born citizen, and I’ve lived here at least fourteen years. So a lot of the students got excited and they followed suit.”

Although, the vast majority of the school’s body are not legally able to vote at the moment, the next election will take place in the year 2020. You can never know what to expect, Trump may be running for a second term and Kanye West may stick to his announcement during the 2015 Video Music Awards and run along side him. Even if you may not know what the future election brings, the only way you can assure change is by going out there and making it happen by using your voice and voting.

“Even if you are unsure who to vote for, do research and try to find out what would affect you to better yourself.” senior Damian Wilson said. “Every vote counts.”