Younger voters told CNHI they would prefer younger presidential candidates.

President Joe Biden and Donald Trump are both older men.

The choice we have is the choice we have.

Biden did not face any serious opposition from within the Democrat Party. He is the nominee.

Trump faced a large field of primary candidates, not the least of which was the much younger Nikki Haley who campaigned as a “new generational leader.” Republicans made their choice, and she was not it.

Despite the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is 70, the only real choice voters have is between Biden and Trump.

So, when it comes down to it, the race no longer has anything to do with age. American voters have chosen two older men, one 77 and the other 81, and that is it.

The points of separation between Biden and Trump are not age.

Voting or not voting for either of them because of age is disingenuous.

They are both very senior citizens.

In the CNHI Pulse of the Voters series published in this edition of the newspaper, Lucas Cross, 18, a high school student in Mineral Wells, Texas, who voted for the first time on Super Tuesday, said he voted for Haley in the GOP primary, citing the age of Biden and Trump. Cross said, “I like my grandma very much, but I don’t want her running my country.

Despite the fact we heard the same sentiment from numerous younger voters, the Republican Party largely does not seem to agree.

Regardless of how much people may say they wish they had younger choices, they do not. The general election, then, simply cannot be about age.

If not age, what are voters focused on?

When CNHI reporters fanned out in communities throughout 22 states, what we were told is that younger voters are especially concerned about the economy, the Southern border, abortion rights and climate change.

The issues that matter to you may be different.

Regardless of what issues matter the most to you, every voter should cast an informed ballot and do your own independent research, listening to what the candidates actually say, comparing it to their actual record.

Every vote matters, and your vote is far too important to waste on grievance, anger, baseless fear or demagoguery. Don’t rely on conspiracy theories, hearsay and social media drivel to form your opinions.

By all means, don’t let CNN or FOX News tell you how to vote.

Consider position over personality and policy over politics.

CNHI News Service