Christy Northup, 19, of Westerly is currently studying to become a youth pastor. Here’s what she had to say about what’s motivating her to vote this election year.
I’m in ministry school right now. I’m almost done with school, and I’ll be a licensed minister next year, so I can be a youth pastor.
Voting is super duper important to me. Growing up, I always went with my parents to vote, and I just like, I can’t wait to have that stupid little sticker that said “I voted.” And men and women literally died for our right to vote, and I feel like it would be such a waste to just throw that away just because like, “oh, my vote doesn’t count,” or “oh, I just don’t want to vote,” or “oh, I don’t really like either of them.” Like, just vote.
I’m going to be getting more involved with the Westerly Republicans, and I’m actually going to be working at the polls on Election Day.
I’m thinking about our terrible economy. … I’m thinking about abortion.
In previous years, when President Trump was in office, the prices were the best they’ve ever been, and tax cuts and all that stuff. And that was great, and I didn’t get to live through that as an adult.
I would really love for gas prices to be down. Gas is the death of me. That sounds so stupid, but like, gas stresses me out so much, to fill my tank and have it be $70 … insane.
Conservatives are not bad. I feel like conservatives are painted to be just like, “oh, all these old white men, they don’t care about people. They just care about themselves.” And like, that’s not the case. We’re about getting on your feet, having hope, and moving forward. And I think that’s just it, and people don’t see that.
Well, the way I’m voting is just going with the heart of God. And God shows himself in the word, and he reveals himself to us every day. Like, if you’re looking for God, he shows you, and … he literally gave us a whole book.
Women deserve better than abortion. There are so, so, so many options besides abortion, and I think that abortion is just shoved down women’s throats and young people’s throats, and there are so, so many people that want to help a woman through her pregnancy. Whether or not she puts the baby up for adoption or she keeps the baby, you know, that’s her prerogative. But as far as killing the baby and cutting off its life for the sake of “my body, my choice,” I strongly disagree with that because a baby is a separate thing. I get that it’s living in you, but the baby is not your body.
But I’m super-duper stoked. I feel like, honestly, I feel like Trump’s pretty iconic. And I’m super excited that I get to vote for him.
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This year’s elections coverage by The Public’s Radio is sponsored in part by Ascent Audiology & Hearing, Providence Picture Frame and Rustigian Rugs.

