A friend told me this morning his son is voting today for the first time in his life.

“He’s really pumped,” my friend said.

His son turned 18 a week ago. He is dialed in to public affairs, according to his parents. I don’t know the young man; only know his mother and father. Mom and Dad both work in the public sector in Amarillo, so it ought to stand to reason that their son would be aware of civics, government, and the many issues of deep public concern.

But it’s exciting to hear that a young, first-time voter is anxious to cast his first ballot for candidates seeking his vote. There will be millions more just like him around the country, young folks coming of voting age just as Election Day rolls around. They’ll be excited, anxious, maybe even a bit nervous. In Texas, we have these electronic ballots that can be a little intimidating when you put your hands on the machinery for the first time. My advice to the young man who’s about to cast his first vote: Take your time.

My hope for the young man is that he never loses his enthusiasm for voting. Over time, the candidates will disappoint him. I just hope the electoral process remains exciting. I want him to keep studying the issues as I’m told he’s been doing while getting ready for this big moment in his life.

Stay pumped, young man.