Miami Student Registers to Vote for First Time
The 21-year-old college student plans to cast her first ballot in the upcoming November 2026 midterm elections.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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Miami Dade College student Lya Noriega has officially registered to vote for the first time. The 21-year-old resident plans to cast her first ballot during the upcoming November midterm elections.
Why it matters
Noriega, who moved to the United States at age 3, is joining a growing demographic of young voters seeking to engage with local and national policy. Her decision to register follows a personal path of academic research into marine ecosystems and a desire to influence the future of her community.
Nationwide, 20 million Gen Z voters participated in the 2024 presidential election out of 150 million total ballots cast. While specific turnout data for local midterms remains to be seen, participation levels continue to be a benchmark for young voter engagement.
The players
Lya Noriega
A 21-year-old Miami resident and Miami Dade College student who recently registered to vote.
The details
Noriega, a marine biology student, was prompted to engage in the electoral process after viewing a satirical video about youth civic participation. She recently completed a marine research internship in September 2026, where she studied coral reefs and King Mackerel populations. Her interest in the environment coincides with recent federal actions, including the September 2026 repeal of greenhouse gas requirements and the June 2026 reopening of Pacific waters to commercial fishing.
Timeline
2018: A viral video, Dear Young People Don't Vote, was released.
June 2026: The federal administration reopened Pacific waters to commercial fishing.
September 2026: Lya Noriega completed her marine research internship.
September 2026: The federal administration repealed greenhouse gas requirements for power plants.
November 2026: Midterm elections are scheduled to take place.
Beyond the 305
The 2018 Dear Young People Don't Vote video famously used satire to highlight youth electoral disengagement. Noriega's choice to register reflects a shift toward active participation as she prepares for her first midterm vote.
Young voters in Miami-Dade will have the chance to cast their ballots in the November 2026 midterms. Residents can monitor local polling site locations and ballot deadlines through the Supervisor of Elections.
The takeaway
Civic participation remains a personal choice that often bridges the gap between individual career aspirations and community advocacy. Residents should check their registration status ahead of the November 2026 election cycle.
What happens next
The midterm elections are scheduled to take place in November 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local voter resources in our Civic Engagement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WLRN.
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