Students at Arizona State University, and all across the nation are gearing up to vote as the 2020 presidential election approaches.
This election is viewed by many as one of the most important elections in U.S. history. With the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and the continuation of the coronavirus pandemic, many Americans are seeking leaders that will make them feel secure.
Historically, people between the ages of 18 to 24 typically have the lowest turnout when it comes to voting. Ever since 18-year-olds were granted the right to vote by Congress in 1972, they have been the most underrepresented age in the nation’s polls, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Students at the ASU downtown Phoenix campus are hoping to change that in November. Amanda Osorio, an ASU freshman, plans to vote and said she hopes most people decide to do so as well.
“There are serious changes that need to be made within the country,” Osorio said. “If you have the ability to vote, I think you should, no matter what your opinion is, you just need to execute your rights and use your voice.”
Throughout this year, young people in the United States have become much more politically active as compared to previous generations. Across the nation, teens were seen leading protests and marches in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Ethan Schwager, a sports journalism student at ASU, said he hopes to see this kind of energy continue into the polls this year.
“It’s always important for people’s voices to be heard and I think in a democracy, voting is the number one way to have your voice heard,” Shwager said. “It’s especially important for students to vote because this is one of the first times we’ve been able to and this is how we make an impact on the future we want to see.”
Shwager, an out-of-state student from Maryland, recently registered to vote in Arizona. Based on the recent polling data, he knew that Arizona could possibly be a swing state, flipping from red to blue this year, and said that his vote mattered more in Arizona than it did back in his home state.
Keith Dottley, a freshman, is choosing to vote via absentee ballot in his home state of Pennsylvania for that same reason.
“Pennsylvania is going to be one of the most highly contested states and it’s going to have a lot of impact on this election, so I think it’s important for my voice to be heard there,” Dottley said.
Although most students plan to vote on Nov. 3, some are also choosing to abstain. Macy Senerius, a nursing student at ASU, has decided not to vote in this election.
“I feel like I’m not educated enough to make a decision, at least for myself,” Senerius said. “Since I’ve been hearing how crucial this election is, I would want to go into the voting process knowing who I’d want to vote for and not just voting for who my friends and parents support and I think at this point, that’s probably what would end up happening.”
Arizona residents have until Oct. 30 to vote early or can wait until Election Day on Nov. 3. Visit the City of Phoenix website for more information on voting options.
Contact the reporter at amstansf@asu.edu.
