The upcoming presidential election is shaping up to be a neck and neck race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. According to CNN, Americans between the ages of 18 and 34 make up over 40 million of the potential voters in the 2024 election. It’s clear that politically empowering young people and encouraging them to vote will result in a more democratic election.
Students at Bucks and college students at large are feeling enticed to vote now that Kamala Harris has entered the election. “It is definitely a race now with Kamala Harris in it,” Bucks student Michael Stein, a 35-year-old business administration major said. “Before Biden dropped out, Trump was for sure going to win it all. Trump has quite the competition now and a good female competitor.”
“I have voted in every election. The way I see it is that if you complain about the things that are wrong in our government, voting your opinion is the only way to somewhat fix that issue. I am not going to stop voting now,” said Michael.
Whether students participate in the election or not, the outcome will shape the future of the country. In previous election years, students voted less. Now that young people are especially concerned about the outcome, though, it’s very possible that young voters could turn out a significant way.
Social media campaigning is reaching the target audience of young voters more than ever. “This is actually the first time I have ever wanted to vote. I feel like this election means something and my opinion might be able to make a difference,” says Matthew Sadler, a 22-year-old secondary education major.
Ryan Lancaster, a 23-year-old business administration major said she’s concerned about both Harris and Trump. “I am not surprised that Harris entered the race, but it doesn’t make me feel good. I do not like her as a candidate. She is just a goofy person, and I cannot take her seriously. But overall, I do not feel like either her or Trump are good choices for the country,” said Lancaster.
She continued: “I feel like everyone should vote, because no matter the outcome, it is important we vote. Especially being a woman, we need to have our voice heard.”
Issues involving the election have sparked concern among college students particularly. Whether it be the increasing interest rates of student loans, the increasing cost of college or the reproductive rights of young women, they are questioning what is going to change. “I find that reproduction rights are a major issue for women in our age range, that is one thing they should not take away from us,” Lancaster said.
Carly Mainsa, a 22-year-old health science major and registered voter stated that “college debt is a huge issue. I went to a four-year school, and I only went for a year, and I am still paying it off. I pay for Bucks out of pocket so an increase in college costs will hurt. This is why I continue to work. I have to work to be able to afford my education.”
Adults going back to school to further their education must balance the cost of living and think wisely about their spending, especially if they have children. “If interest rates of student loans go up and the cost of college, even though community college is affordable, the cost of living is already a lot and especially the cost of raising kids, I do not need another burden to pay more for” Stein states.