1978- Texas Gubernatorial Election 

I don’t even remember who I voted for. But I remember the long lines, and my dad- he just wanted to be there for my first election. I was the fourth of five children but he still made it a ceremony, every time one of us turned 18. And I was so excited. People cared back then. It was very Democratic and Republican.The candidates used to stand up, list their qualifications and tell the people why they should vote for them. But now, it’s all just bashing each other. When I think of the elections before, I think of my dad, because he passed away. And I think of how excited everyone was. That’s gone away too. – Karen Hunt, Coppell Mayor

1980- Ronald Reagan vs. Jimmy Carter

There was a lot of bad feelings in the country about how Jimmy Carter, the former president had handled the [Iranian hostage crisis]. I was young, about 12, and I remember not being scared, but being concerned and frustrated. ‘How can this be happening to America? This is America. This doesn’t happen to us.’ We were ready for change in leadership as a country. And President Reagan came in and delivered a lot of inspiring rhetoric speeches. He made us believe we had strength again. – Mike Jasso, CHS Principal 

1992- Bill Clinton vs. George HW Bush

 
That election was nothing like this election. It wasn’t as hostile or as nasty or unpleasant. But the 80s and the 90s were tough for America. And so I was a little disillusioned with the way the country was going. I wasn’t a big fan of either of the candidates. So I wrote in Vern Eden, the principal of [Coppell Middle School North]. It was my way of being a bit of a rebel and pushing back against the establishment. But I felt proud of myself because I could have not voted. But I did. I went to the polling place, Pinkerton [Elementary School] and I exercised my right to vote. Mr. Eden just laughed. And probably said something like ‘Oh, Mrs. DeWaal….’ – Diane DeWaal, AP US History teacher

2008- John McCain vs. Barack Obama

In 1975, I was in the Army with the U.S. in Vietnam, to fight the Communists. I came here to the U.S. in 1998 as a refugee. In Vietnam the government looked at me like a second citizen. Because they have too many people. It’s not like the U.S. They looked at me like the enemy. I didn’t have the right for anything, it was limited. There was only one party, the Communist Party and they had the power to rule in Vietnam. But when I became a U.S. Citizen, I had the right to vote. I wanted to use my right to vote for president. It’s my right and it’s my benefit. So 2008 was the first time I went to vote and I voted for [John McCain]. I used my right. I felt happy. I was proud. – Tien Bui, CHS Janitor