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First-Time Voters Hit The Polls

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Tens of thousands of Californians are heading to the polls today, including some who are voting for the first time.

We talked to some teens who have never cast a ballot before. It's a first for 20-year-old Julio Lopez.

"Oh yes, 'I voted sticker!' I see a whole bunch of people wearing them. My sister is wearing it. I was like 'I need one!'" said Lopez.

It's hard enough to convince the public to get out and vote – and it's often even harder to convince young people. But Lopez says the prospect of a Trump victory had him running towards the polling booth.

"His views on what he wants for the future of the United States is a little confusing," said Lopez.

Lopez cast his vote for Bernie Sanders.

"You know, it's always good to make a change," said 18-year-old Isaac Rodriguez.

Rodriguez says it was a former teacher that inspired him to vote.

"He says the majority of teens don't vote and he said that's why they don't give a crap about us and that's why I wanted to vote today," he said.

Eighteen-year-old Evan Drukker-Schardle is volunteering with Darrell Steinberg's campaign, encouraging as many people as he can to get out and vote.

"Well, voting is really the only way that we can you know maintain our democracy, make sure we have a voice in our government," he said.

But it's not where you'd typically find a teenager just before graduation.

 "Eighteen-year-olds like to complain a lot about the world, so if 18-year-olds want to fix those problems they see in the world, a great way to start is to go and vote," said Drukker-Schardle.

As he continues to work the phones, Rodriguez heads home – with a message for his family: "I'm gonna tell them to come vote because I registered them too."

More than 81,000 voters between 17 and 25 years old have registered online through the Secretary of State's website, and that's not including the people who have registered by mail.

The polls close at 8 p.m.

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