Yolanda Renee King, the only grandchild of Civil Rights icon Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, is speaking out about casting her first ballot in the 2026 midterm elections, now that she is of voting age.
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When asked about having her first chance to vote, during the 2026 midterm elections, the 18-year-old daughter of Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King, told CNN:
“I would say it is a very meaningful day for me. I mean, I’ve been waiting for this day for as long as I can remember.”
Yolanda recalled accompanying her parents to the polls growing up. She remembered watching them exercise their right to vote while wishing she could do the same — and that day finally came. Yolanda recalled:
“I remember being really excited to finally be of age to vote. My parents, from a young age, taught me the importance of the vote, so they would take me to the polls.”
Yolanda admitted that as a child she would sometimes feel disappointed that should couldn’t participate. So, she would pretend that she voted by wearing the “I Just Voted” sticker her parents gave to her.
Yolanda no longer has to pretend as she now gets to exercise her own vote. She said:
“I think it’s such a personal experience that now I will be able to say, yes, I was able to get my voice across through my parents and through friends who could vote before me, but now I can really put it in my voice. I’m such a hands-on person, so I always love to be part of the process. I can’t believe it, and I’m so excited that this day has finally come.”
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