When locals head to the polls on Nov. 8 to cast their vote for president, there will be a whole new crowd of voters who will cast their votes in their first-ever presidential election.

One of those is Auburn University junior and Straughn High School and LBWCC alum Connor Livings.

Often noted as the most important civic duty one will ever have, voting is not something Livings has taken lightly.

Livings said he got involved in politics during the local elections, when he helped with a local campaign.

“I didn’t know that I cared for politics,” he said. “I started watching it more and just felt a passion for it.”

That passion has led him to double major in finance and political science at Auburn.

He said he plans to one day go to law school and run for office.

In making his decision, Livings said he did research on the political candidates and watched different news programs and read a lot before determining he would cast his vote for Donald Trump.

“He wasn’t my first pick,” he said. “Over time, I looked at all the candidates from both sides. I don’t believe our country is headed in the right direction. I’m headed into the workforce and will hopefully have a family of my own. I believe that he can get us back in the right direction.”

Livings said he’s attended three different Trump rallies since January that also have helped him make his decision.

“Back in January, I went and saw him in Pensacola,” he said. “I knew then I wanted to see more. My ultimate goal was to be able to meet him.”

In September, he went back to Pensacola with the College Republicans from Auburn.

“They considered us media and we were able to get down front and get his autograph. We didn’t get to meet him then.”

Last week, Livings got that opportunity.

“Through a friend I was offered (the opportunity) to attend the rally in Panama City as a VIP,” he said. “When I left class that day I drove to Panama City. Upon arrival, I was greeted very graciously and they brought me down front.”

Livings was selected among 20 people to go back stage and meet Trump.

“We went back stage and viewed the first part of the rally from back there,” he said. “Then we got to meet and speak with Mr. Trump very briefly.”

Livings said while his mind was obviously made before the rally, he met people who weren’t necessarily Trump supporters or even Republicans at the rally.

“It was really neat and I had a great time,” he said. “I was able to laugh and meet people and listen to what he had to say.”

In each of the rallies there were more than 20,000 people there, he said.

Livings said it was very important to him to read and know the issues.

“I’ve come across people who have no real clue as to why they are voting for the person,” he said.

Additionally, Livings said he tried to consider the values his family has instilled in him before selecting a candidate as well.

“My family – my parents and grandparents – have always instilled in me hard work, and I am a Christian,” he said. “I believe it has a major impact on how I live and try to think. My grandmother and grandfather have always told me to give it my all. And not to forget who is No. 1 in my life. That would be Christ in my opinion.”

Livings said he plans to vote absentee.

He is the son of Scott and Tricia Livings and the grandson of Tom and Theresa Arnold.