Our most recent Presidential Election has come to a close with former President Donald Trump regaining the presidency. For many seniors, this election was their first opportunity to get out and vote and the process can be a bit overwhelming.
Voters need to know who the candidates are and what they stand for. Some voters make decisions on variables like their parent’s or friend’s political beliefs or their religious affiliation, while others vote based on their own research.
Seventy-five students responded to a survey by the SunDevil Times. Of respondents, 61.3% percent either voted for the Democratic candidate on November 5, or plan to when they are of age to vote. Only 26.7% either voted for the Republican candidate on November 5, or plan to when they are of age to vote. A small portion of individuals (12%) noted that they would vote Independent or not vote at all.
“I think it’s important to vote if you want to have [a say] on politics,” said senior Christian Carroll. “I think young voters have some education, but a lot of it is skewed left or right.”
Carroll believes young voters are often “skewed left or right” and vote on party lines rather than on issues and that their political preference may be determined not by life experiences, as most young voters have yet to fully experience the life of an adult American citizen, but by social media influences and parental figures.
“It is very important for people to vote,” said senior Elora May. “To me it is similar to recycling, no change will be made if everyone thinks that their contributions don’t matter.”
Given the format of our voting system and the electoral college, it is not uncommon for individuals to lose interest in voting because they believe that their individual vote is so small and won’t make a difference.
Are you a student who voted on November 5th? What influenced your ballot? Candidate platforms? Parents? Friends? Etc. Leave a comment below.
