Moorpark College millenials converged at their assigned polling places early today to cast their ballots in what is for many their first major election.

Moorpark College student Joe Ramirez arrived at his polling place, an apartment complex west of the college, just after class to the polling location to vote for the first time.

“I came here to make a difference and to make my vote count for the first time, and it feels good to do so,” said Ramirez.

Polling places for the Nov. 6 election, which will decide the next U.S. president, national and state representatives and a host of major state issues that include funding for California schools and community colleges, will be open until 8 p.m.

Michael Glessner, a 26-year-old Moorpark College graduate, voted at the same place as Ramirez. He said he wants President Obama to be reelected.

“If you don’t vote, you don’t have a right to complain,” he said. He also voted to repeal the death penalty with a ‘Yes” vote on Prop. 34, and voted yes on Prop. 30 to maintain funding for schools.

Moorpark College student Ariel Ostrowiecki voted for Romney because she said he is better in terms of economy, health, and education.

“I’m here to vote today because it is my obligation as a citizen to do my part,” said Ostrowiecki.

The three are among the expected 426,948 registered voters in Ventura County.

Kevin Callan, vice president of Norwalk-based political consulting firm Political Data Inc., predicted that turnout for Ventura County voters ages 18-24 will be consistent with past elections.

“Ventura County was at 32%, which is normal for this age range, however this year I’m optimistic that the turn out will not decrease.”

However, Callan is confident that the nationwide turnout for millennial voters will increase by around 17%.

Callan said that in 2008 46% of voters ages 18-24 cast ballots.

“I believe it will increase to close to 63% due to the one million-person-population increase in the nation since the 2008 election.”

At the Campus Canyon Elementary polling place, Moorpark College student and polling volunteer Drake Perdigao, 17, said he believes Obama will be reelected. He said he favors the Democratic position on women’s reproductive rights. 

“It’s up to a woman whether or not she wants to [have an abortion] or not. Government shouldn’t have anything to do about it,” said Perdigao.

Moorpark College Sociology Professor Daniel Vieira, believes that Proposition 30 is not going to pass.

“It’s not going to pass. Even if it did pass it’s not going to produce the revenue that people think its going to because people will find ways to hide money or get it out of state,” said Vieira.

Giselle Ramirez, counselor at Moorpark College, said that she hopes Prop. 30 will pass.

“I vote yes for Prop 30 because I am a faculty here at the college and I support them 100 percent,” said Ramirez.

Jason Asadurian, 22-year-old, voted for Romney over Obama.

“Me and my family own small business so I think we’d be better off with Romney,” said Asadurian.

Moorpark College graduate Nikki Mann, 22, who voted at Campus Canyon Elementary, said that Obama still has a chance to maintain the presidency due to his ongoing efforts to strengthen a weak economy.

“I think he’s done pretty well considering what he has to deal with,” she said. “I think for what he has done so far, he’s done well.”

Obama’s stance on women’s rights has convinced Mann to vote for the Democratic Party candidate. 

“I think it’s pretty terrible that it has come this far, because there shouldn’t even be this much question. Women should have the rights they deserve,” said Mann.

Chanel Elkins, a 21-year-old nursing major, is happy she can get involved in the political process.

“I’m glad I get to participate,” she said.

Maddi Stanley, 19, understands how much power her generation holds in this election.

“I feel like there’s a lot of pressure for people our age,” she said.