Why students are choosing to cast a ballot.
Written by Ava Fuduric
Amidst a country that’s politically polarized, people across the nation are gearing up for this year's election.
Although many generations will find themselves at the polls or mailing in a ballot, Generation Z has been voting at higher rates than previous generations, giving them the potential to influence the election and encourage action on issues that matter to them.
According to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), 40.8 million Gen Zers will be eligible to vote in the upcoming presidential election. Seeing as Cleveland State University (CSU)'s demographic is largely Gen Z, the college's students have perspectives to offer.
"“We are one of the largest generations that are voting, so we would be making up a large percentage of the population of voters,” Fields said. “It is important that we all go out and vote.”"
As we head into the election season, students on campus shared their own opinions on why they’ll be voting this November and what makes it important to them.
Important issues
Victoria Fields, a senior at CSU serving as secretary for the Cleveland State College Democrats, and Spencer York, a junior serving as secretary for CSU’s Collegiate Conservative Coalition, both express their commitment to addressing a variety of issues present in our country.
As an early childhood education major, Fields expresses the need for a national pre-K program to address developmental delays. She feels that her vote matters in effectively addressing the issues she cares about.
“That's something that's extremely important to me,” said Fields, 22. “As an educator, I see the impacts of students that go through pre-K versus students that don't, and it can cause some developmental delays.”
Fields also advocates for policies that support LGBTQ+ individuals, including gender-inclusive bathrooms and marriage equality.
“Another issue that I find very important to me is anything that surrounds LGBT youth, as well as adults,” Fields said. “Being able to have those decisions and having that control over your own body and life.”
Similar to Fields, York believes that his vote will shape the way key issues are addressed. He notes that his Christian faith has led him to prioritize the matter of abortion.
“I'm Christian, so abortion is definitely number one,” said York, 18. “Essentially that's children, so it's a big issue.”
York also expressed concerns regarding policies related to immigration. Border control is another issue he finds important when voting in the upcoming election.
“It’s the immigration, illegal immigration that is insane because it’s part of the policies,” York said.
Political motivations
Aside from focusing on specific policies and issues, York also notices that many people voting are doing it out of spite for the opposing candidate.
“There's a lot of people who are voting for the other candidate because they don't want the other candidate,” York said. “For example, people vote for Trump because they don't want Harris, and they vote for Harris because they don't want Trump.”
Fields also takes note of this perspective. According to her, many people focus on the negative aspects of a candidate instead of looking at what to accomplish.
“Something that I've noticed a lot of people looking at is looking at things from a negative lens,” Fields said. “‘I don't like this person because of this.’”
Making a difference
Regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum, it is clear to both students that voting is a way to achieve progress in our country. Fields certainly feels that we all want to see a nation that succeeds in becoming better.
“I believe that everyone is doing their best to do the best for the country, so I don't think anyone really has malicious intent behind their views,” Fields said. “They just are doing what they think will help the most, and that's really what we all are striving for, is a better country, a better society for all of us to live in.”
York also agrees that people have the best intentions when voting. According to him, everyone wants our country to be better, and voting is a part of that process.
“I do think a lot of people are voting because that’s just what you do,” York said. “I think everyone wants the best thing for this country.”
Role of young voters in shaping election outcome
The ambition among college students in Gen Z to participate in the upcoming election shows a commitment to bettering our nation. It also encourages the future of our democracy as the younger demographic of student voters begin to join the electorate.
Fields stresses the importance of her generation voting, considering how other generations are beginning to engage less. Filling the roles of those not voting and stepping up is really crucial for students.
“We are one of the largest generations that are voting, so we would be making up a large percentage of the population of voters,” Fields said. “It is important that we all go out and vote.”