Johnny Grove and Randall Jones, Milwaukee, WI

Randall Jones, 23, was convicted of a felony, and has been unable to vote for several years. This year, however, he was able to register to vote. Although it was difficult to sort out the rules for getting reinfranchised, a worker with the elections board was able to help Jones through the registration process.

Jones says he is voted on Election Day for the first time. He went to the polls with his friend, Grove, 20. Grove says he wanted to vote because he has a young child and wants to vote to improve the future for his child.

Jones says that he also has children and he wanted to vote for a better life for them.

“Economy? We need to fix the world, period. It’s not just the economy, it’s the world. The world is getting beyond us,” says Jones. “You know, we’re young black men but I don’t want to live like this all my life, I have a future. I want my kids to have a future.”

“I’ve got hopes for the future,” says Grove, “big hopes.”

Video footage of Jones and Grove shows two young men who black youth would likely identify with, talking candidly about their thoughts on voting for a better future.