Emma Gonzalez
Staff Writer
A recent informal survey on campus found that 16 out of 20 college students were going to, or already did, vote in this year’s election – representing higher-than-usual engagement and reflecting the national trend among this age group.
Young adults in general have been more inclined to vote if they feel a personal connection to what’s on the ballot. Abortion restrictions following the fall of Roe v. Wade, the economy, education immigration, and climate change are among the issues motivating young voters.
Researching candidates and laws is important when it comes to election season to decipher how one’s values most align with which candidates.
“More people vote by seeing if that actually impacts students’ lives because there is that detachment,” said Eliana Ramirez, a junior kinesiology major at the University of La Verne who will vote.
“Recently there has been more of a realization of how this would impact everyone’s life.”
The students surveyed feel like their vote matters and that their vote can actually make a difference in the world by encouraging others to vote as well.
“A lot of people, especially college students, perceive themselves as conscientious and therefore as the kind of person who does participate in the political process,”said Jason Neidleman, professor of political science.
Political policies are implemented to target and nourish future generations and their families. In order for greater political impact to happen, educating and informing others is essential.
“I feel like a lot is at stake – protecting our democracy – and we need all the help we can get from the younger generation,” said Katrina Hitchcock, a senior kinesiology major who intends to vote.
For many students here, the Nov. 5 election is their first time being eligible to vote, and for most, it’s their first presidential election.
There would be an even larger increase in voting among younger college students if it became a trend. In 2020, adults ages 18 to 21 had their highest voting rates, which showed a spiked trend, according to the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement at Tufts University’s Institute for Democracy and Higher Education.
“Once people started drinking matcha everyone started drinking matcha,” said Marcelino Mejia, a junior film major. “If you can make voting similar to, ‘Let’s go get matcha,’ like ‘Let’s go vote,’ more people would want to vote.”
Convenience and accessibility can sometimes be a guiding factor as to why some young adults or college students choose not to vote.
“Sometimes it can be hard if you’re away from home,” Neidleman said. “If you’ve moved and your ballot arrives at home, or you’re still registered to vote at home, that can be a challenge. You have to make sure you register and you know wherever you’re at school, so that you can vote there or request a mail in ballot so you can mail it in.”
Some of those students who said they would not be voting in this election said they never grew up around politics. Others said they don’t have the time, are not up on the issues, or cannot see how this election could impact their lives.
“I am not voting because I’m not educated on politics as much as other people are,” said Emilio Perucho, a junior biology major. “I would want to vote if I hear things that I want or need, like gas prices.”
Voting does in fact impact everyone. This election’s results could affect the direction of our country, our place in the world, and the future of the planet.
“If you don’t vote, you’re really just basically ceding authority over your future to the people who do vote,” Neidleman said.
Election day is Nov. 5. Early voting, including voting by mail, is in process now. The University of La Verne Campus Center is site for early and election-day voting.
If you are not registered to vote, you can still vote via same-day registration. For more information, stop into the Campus Center, or visit sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg.
Emma Gonzalez can be reached at emma.gonzalez@laverne.edu.
Emma Gonzalez is a junior communications major with a concentration in public relations and a minor in marketing, and a staff writer for the Campus Times. Her interests include community involvement, art, traveling and writing. Emma’s long-term career objective revolves around working for a nonprofit organization that is passionate about helping a target group of individuals. Follow her on Handshake.
