The first time I ever voted was in 2013. Not for President, not for Congress, not for Senator or even Governor, rather, for the Lewiston School Board. I missed the presidential election in 2012 by three days and I am so glad that I did. My very first vote I ever cast was for something that affects me and my community on a daily basis. 
Next month, on March 14, all of you who are 18 are going to head to the polls with me to vote for something that could change the history of the town we call home. We have the opportunity, together, to change the trajectory of Lewiston. We have the chance to vote for a facility that will benefit, you, me, your parents, my parents, your siblings and mine. 
For many of you, this will be the first time you will ever cast a ballot and that first vote couldn’t be more important. You will never forget that you were a part of voting for the future of this community. 
I was, and always will be, a Bengal and I know we always take care of our fellow Bengals, past, current and future. Let’s take care of our fellow Bengals and vote Yes on March 14!
— Jesse Maldonado

Maldonado was the senior editor of The Bengal’s Purr in 2012-2013 and now serves on the Lewiston City Council.