Young, first-time voters across Hawaii are turning out to vote and encourage their peers to do the same, which is good news for civic participation ahead of the general election.

• Teenagers and newly-turned 18-year-olds are casting ballots for the first time and say they feel their voices finally count.
• A statewide student-led effort organized sign-waving events across Oahu, drawing hundreds of participants in recent weeks.
• Students say they're studying up on confusing ballot items, including several charter amendments that even many adults found hard to understand.
• Organizers are concerned about low voter turnout overall and hope their visibility will push more people, young and old, to send in their ballots.

Outlook: Turnout among young voters could grow in future elections if these youth-led organizing efforts continue.