Your voice, your vote
As presidential campaign ads fill the airwaves and social media feeds of millions of college students across the nation, one thing is certain. Whether it’s Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump who wins, the ballots cast by young people will have a major impact on the outcome.
With Nov. 5 just around the corner, Election Day marks the first time that many Clark Honors College students will be able to vote. And the list of issues that they perceive to be affecting their lives is lengthy: abortion rights, the economy, war in the Middle East, and immigration, to name a few.
Anita Chari, a CHC associate professor of political science, says college students’ voices are essential to the democratic process, because students engage on a daily basis in discussions about justice, equity, and freedom.
“Voting is a fundamental responsibility and privilege of citizenship,” Chari says. “It is the foundation of a democratic society, and something that we absolutely cannot become complacent about. In contentious times like these when our democratic system feels polarized and precarious, it is even more crucial for young people to be heard by exercising their right to vote."
The CHC Post sat down with several Honors College students to hear what was moving them to participate in this year’s monumental election. (We sought out Republicans, Democrats, Independents and others. Some students declined to participate.) See what the students we interviewed had to say.
Why vote?
For decades, young people in the U.S. have waited – some eagerly, some reluctantly – to turn 18 so they could participate in one of our nation’s most fundamental rights of passage. So what has motivated them to make this choice and why?
Outside factors that influence voting
Although the physical act of voting doesn't happen until age 18, the path of political socialization starts far earlier. Parents and other adults – relatives, teachers, coaches, employers, mentors – have a way of influencing how young people view the world of politics. Sometimes that can change over time.
What happens next?
With a country that is so polarized and with the glut of swirling misinformation about elections, many voters worry that no matter which party wins the aftermath will invoke chaos.
A woman's right to choose
Reproductive rights – a consistent hot-button issue – have been a driving factor for many young voters. When the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in 2022, it served as a rallying cry for millions of abortion rights supporters concerned about women not having full access to health care. It is clear that whether a woman has the right to choose will be a significant factor in how people choose the next president.
Government
Government responsibility, the economy, and access to health care are important factors in the election, students tell us. They are concerned with how the partisan divide has affected politics. A number of them expressed worry over how things don’t seem to be changing during this election cycle.
Immigration stands out
Immigration continues to be an issue on the front burner for students and is sure to influence the election. Some say worry that the election may bring a backlash against immigrants. Others explain that our economy can’t survive without people from other countries who often supply critical sources of labor.
Climate change is here
We see and hear about it constantly. News stories about extreme weather events and the devastating impacts of climate change. It seems to some that these weather events escalate in scale each year. What will happen, students ask, if our political leaders don’t strike a delicate balance between displacing fossil fuel and building clean energy infrastructure. Will anything change?
Does government work?
Students say they want to see a country where politicians can agree to disagree on things but still have the ability to work together to make progress at curing the ills of society. Bipartisanship isn’t something many college students have seen in their lifetimes, but they aren’t ready to give up on the idea.
Get out and vote
One message that rings clear with students, regardless of where they stand, is the critical importance of exercising your right to vote. They encourage everyone to do so on Nov. 5.
Aishiki Nag of the Clark Honors College Communications team contributed to this report.