Four young voters say their ballots are cast for family members who cannot vote

Nicole Solis-Sison is 34 years old and casting her first ballot in New York City this year. She became a U.S. citizen earlier this year after more than two decades living in the country. Her family fled the Philippine government when she was seven, seeking asylum in Los Angeles. An immigration agent at the time advised them to file for asylum, allowing them to stay. Solis-Sison said she felt a weight to protect others in the process. She described getting out of the system with only a sliver of hope.

Juan Escalante, 37, is also voting for the first time. He moved from Venezuela to the United States at age 11. He discovered he was undocumented during his junior year of high school. His parents hired a lawyer who mishandled their immigration case, leaving them out of the line for legal status. Escalante gained protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. He graduated college and became a citizen in 2025. He lives in California and found his mail-in ballot overwhelming in size, but he researched every proposition. He said his vote is for the greater good of his community and country.

Deisy España, 24, was born in Wisconsin and has always been a citizen. Her parents are from Mexico and were undocumented for much of their lives. Her mother recently obtained a green card. España recalled her mother praying during police traffic stops, fearing detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She said she is voting for her parents who cannot vote. She believes the stakes are higher this election due to the administration's hardline stance on immigration.

Leydi Gonzalez, 23, lives in Texas. Both of her parents are from El Salvador. She turned 21 last year and immediately petitioned for her parents' legal status. They now have authorization to be in the U.S. and are awaiting residency approval. Gonzalez said her family discussed who would care for her siblings if her parents were detained. She cited the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE agent in Texas as a factor in her anxiety. She is watching the U.S. Senate race in Texas, where Democrat James Talarico is polling ahead of Republican nominee Ken Paxton. Gonzalez said she is voting for a sense of security for her family.

These voters represent a group where the act of voting is tied to the status of immediate family members. Solis-Sison created her own voter guide and diary for the election. Escalante described the experience as profoundly personal and emotional. España and Gonzalez both emphasized that their votes serve as a proxy for their parents' needs and safety.