This past week, we’ve watched one of the most important elections to date take place. For a lot of college students, this was the first presidential election they were old enough to vote in, and they made it a priority to get to the polls. Making it ‘The Year of The Young Voter’, more than 5 million young people aged (18-29) voted early or absentee in last week’s election, according to research done at Tufts University in Massachusetts. This election has seen the largest turnout of young voters than in previous election years.
This comes after a very unprecedented yet eye-opening year due to; COVID-19 that has put us in quarantine for longer than expected, the resurfacing of the racial justice movement, and the poor leadership under President Donald Trump. For many, voting in the 2020 Presidential election was a must.
Many of our members exercised their right to vote this election, and we decided to go around asking, WHY? Why did they choose to participate in this election, and what sparked them to do it. Check their answers out below!
Kiara Davis, Campus Correspondent
“As an African American woman and knowing the president’s feelings toward my people and other marginalized communities, not voting would make me careless and selfish. I am voting for not only my community but for my friends of other oppressed communities such i.e. LGBTQ+, immigrants, and for the overall quality of life in America for myself, my parents as they get older, and my future children.”
Zoe Beavers, Team Writer
“I voted because too many people fought for my right to do so. It’s important to be politically engaged and aware, and this election was a very historical election that I felt like I had no choice but to be apart of.”
Leslie Jaiyesimi, Associate Editor
“I voted for Joe Biden for various reasons, but one of the biggest reasons was due to the way the current president approached COVID-19. I have had family members be affected by COVID and his response to America as a whole has been very poor. This as well as his flip-flop feelings towards Black America (for votes) and women in general led to my decision.”
Korrin Swinton, Team Writer
“With this being my first-year able to vote, I was super excited! I wasn’t very happy with the candidates however, I know it’s important to exercise my right to vote and kick out Donald Trump!”
Ayonna Chambers, Jr. Youtube Lead
“I voted because I wanted to make sure that my voice was heard in this election. As a first-time voter, I could not be silent because change needs to happen within our government.”
Ariyia Minter, Team Writer
“I voted because now that I am over 18, and it’s my right that my ancestors fought for I feel like my voice matters so why not?! The fact that I have a voice in a decision about our country makes me feel involved!”
Christina Buie, Twitter Social Media Manager, and Photographer
“Over the summer, I protested but it felt like it wasn’t enough. When I finally voted, it was empowering. For once, I was heard and not dismissed by this country. My voice and vote truly mattered.”
Cashara Quinn, Team Writer
“I voted because this was the first presidential election I could vote in, and I wanted to share this experience with my younger sister who became eligible to vote earlier this year.”
Selena Roberts, Team Writer
“I voted because President Trump has shown time and time again that he is not capable of being the leader that this country needs. He did not take COVID-19 seriously and now we are suffering from the repercussions.”
Sara Avery, Photographer, and Team Writer
“I voted because this election is bigger than myself and will help ensure that a bigoted man is removed from the office. While voting Biden into office doesn’t solve all of our problems, it makes sure that our current government will no longer be under attack by right-wing conservatives, who’s first interest is themselves.”
Rhyann Sampson, Team Writer
I voted because I want marginalized groups to be able to comfortably live in a country where they don’t feel like their rights could be challenged at any second.”
Kayla Truitt, Marketing and PR Lead
“I decided to vote during this current election because I knew my vote mattered. If there was anything I could do to make a change in the current status of our country, I had to make it my business to be a part of it.”
Tasha Smith, Team Writer
“I voted because 230,000 people didn’t get the chance to be a part of this election. Because there are too many people hurting and the stakes are too high not to do so. This election is one of the most critical elections in American history and it was too important to me, my family and my community.”