Students across the political spectrum believe a lot is at stake in the 2020 election. Whether they want to change who’s occupying the White House or ensure the incumbent wins another term, students are very motivated to vote this year. In fact, some of the students participating in the Chegg.org/College Pulse #MyElection College Student Voting Project are so inspired to vote that they’re working to get others to the polls.
Students who identify as liberal feel it’s time for change. They say they’re tired of President Trump’s hateful rhetoric and believe it divides the nation. Yet many are not excited by Joe Biden. This is largely in line with a previous study conducted by College Pulse and The Knight Foundation that found that 70% of students support Biden, but only 49% approve of him. However, these students are motivated by their concerns about the consequences of another four years of the Trump presidency.
On the other hand, students who identify as conservative note the importance of voting for a president who can represent the people. Moreover, they believe universal health care and free college tuition would put the nation’s future at risk, while President Trump would act as a barricade against the policies they fear would dismantle the traditional American system. They say Biden can’t stand up to the Democratic Party’s new wave of thinking.
Regardless of how students’ political views impact who they’re voting for, they understand the importance of this election — not just for Americans today, but for generations to come.
Daniel V.
School: University of Texas at Dallas
Year: Senior
Political leaning: Very liberal
Who he’s voting for: Biden
What motivates me to vote is, paradoxically enough, the lack of motivation other folks my age have to do so. Their frustrations and fears aren’t entirely unfounded — after having seen the progressive wing of the Democratic Party be sabotaged and demonized time and time again by the GOP and the centrist DNC establishment, even the most optimistic of young voters have questioned whether resistance truly was futile. That said, the mass support for movements such as Black Lives Matter (BLM) this year has proven that organization and cooperation is the way forward.
I’m also voting for the students who can’t due to Texas’ draconian voter ID laws. Seven states, including Texas, do not accept student ID cards as valid identification for elections, which severely limits the civic voice of college students. Millennials and Gen Z are the largest share of eligible voters in this election, according to the Pew Research Center, and we deserve a proportionate voice in our country’s future.
“Millennials and Gen Z are the largest share of eligible voters in this election … and we deserve a proportionate voice in our country’s future.”
Chase
School: Arizona State University
Year: Senior
Political leaning: Very conservative
Who he’s voting for: Trump
I am motivated to vote for many reasons. Most of them come from my upbringing, but some have to do with this specific election. I feel that it is my civic duty to vote in every election and maintain at least a general knowledge about the people and policies that I will be voting on. Every policy that passes and every politician that gets into office is supposed to be there to represent the people, and I do not stand by letting others’ decisions influence my community without my own informed contribution to those results. In regards to this election, I believe that the country is incredibly divided. Now more than ever, I think every vote matters because we have no idea how this election will turn out, so any county in any state could swing the election and win or lose the presidency.
I have felt the urge to simply not vote in this election. To be frank, I think both candidates for this election have a lot of downsides and it can feel like choosing the lesser of two evils. In my experience, it seems that many people from both major parties feel the same way about the 2020 election. Despite this, the reasons I stated on why I am motivated to vote will not allow me to throw away my voice in any election.
“I look forward to the high voter turnout that I expect to happen, and I hope it pushes the public to be more politically active in their communities.”
Kareen
School: Texas A&M University
Year: Senior
Political leaning: Somewhat liberal
Who she’s voting for: Biden
I believe the importance of the upcoming election lies in its potential to become a significant turning point in American history. The hateful rhetoric running rampant throughout the country can also be changed into open and insightful discussions. That’s why I believe Biden and Harris are the best candidates to help fix the divisiveness in this country.
The rising tensions throughout every corner of this country, increasingly fueled by our current president’s hateful rhetoric, is a major motivational factor (if not the main motivational factor) for my participation in this election. Every other day he incites violence and unrest through his speeches on news outlets or social media platforms such as Twitter, which is truly a disservice to this country and its people — one that can no longer go unchecked. While my stance on the removal of Donald Trump from office at all costs is firm, I am not exactly thrilled with the alternative, and I am hesitant to admit it causes the slightest dent on my motivation to vote. Even though I am left leaning, I do not make it a habit to vote for a candidate solely on the basis of party affiliation. I cast my vote to the candidate whose policies and beliefs are more aligned with my own.
“The rising tensions throughout every corner of this country, increasingly fueled by our current president’s hateful rhetoric, is a major motivational factor.”
Tyler
School: Binghamton University
Year: Doctor of Pharmacy student
Political leaning: Very conservative
Who he’s voting for: Trump
This year, I am so motivated to vote that I have urged others to go out and vote for this election. I am a voter for the people, the individual, and their freedoms. Socialism has been showing a rise in our country and, simply put, socialism has been a detriment to every country that it inhabits. I am for reducing the size of the federal government, but not so much that we lose secure borders, domestic protection, and assistance when needed.
Along with my fear of socialism, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have simply lied to the American people over and over. The Green New Deal will simply tax us into our own demise, followed quickly by free college and free health care. Repealing the Trump admin’s tax cuts and implementing the Green New Deal is the death of America. The packing of the courts is also a guarantee from the Biden administration if they are to win this election. They have avoided the question, refused to answer such a question, and often hint that they would pack the courts. This is a dangerous misrepresentation of powers in America, and a complete mockery of the Constitution. Lastly, I am sick of the only counter argument being “Trump is racist” because, quite frankly, he has done more for the African American community than the last three presidents combined.
“This year, I am so motivated to vote that I have urged others to go out and vote for this election.”
Daniel A.
School: American University
Year: Senior
Political leaning: Moderate
Who he’s voting for: Biden
I definitely find myself motivated by principled candidates. I like knowing what it is that I am supporting by going out to vote. Knowing I understand what a candidate stands for, feeling like I can trust them, and agreeing with their vision of what the country needs motivates me to vote. Even if I do not entirely support a candidate ideologically, I still find myself motivated by them if we agree on what is important for America. For example, during the primaries I found myself motivated by Pete Buttigieg’s mission of reuniting America and fighting polarization even though I generally do not agree with the Democratic platform.
I lose motivation to vote when I do not feel represented by any of the candidates on the ballot. Due to my upbringing in Venezuela, I very much value voting and believe that I have to vote for a candidate that I believe in. I am not motivated by the idea of voting for the lesser evil. As such, I find it disheartening when I feel I cannot support any of the candidates on the ballot. I am also demotivated by hyperpartisanship and populist rhetoric.
“Even if I do not entirely support a candidate ideologically, I still find myself motivated by them if we agree on what is important for America.”
Kathryn
School: Arizona State University
Year: Senior
Political leaning: Somewhat liberal
Who she’s voting for: Biden
My decision to vote has been in the making for four years. Like many of my peer group, I became politically conscious around the time Donald Trump was elected, and my entire “adult” life, I have lived in the political climate defined by his presidency — one of division, hate, and fear. This is what first compelled me to pursue a career in politics, because I believe we can (and must) do better to create an open, just, and equitable society. Personal accountability, including civic accountability, plays a large role in that belief, and I am strongly motivated to vote by a sense of civic duty. In this particular election, I am also motivated by a deep concern for the consequences of another four years of the Trump presidency.
The Electoral College is somewhat discouraging to my motivation to vote. In my coursework, I have studied the electoral college extensively, and I concede some of the rationale supporting its existence. However, as a Democratic voter in a Republican-majority state, I am keenly aware that my vote will not change the ultimate electoral outcome. Idaho may have only four electoral votes, but all of them will be going to Donald Trump. Whether or not Idaho goes purple in the future, it does not change the fact that I feel a certain sense of futility casting my ballot in this election.
“I am also motivated by a deep concern for the consequences of another four years of the Trump presidency.”
Sydney
School: University of Colorado, Boulder
Year: Ph.D student
Political leaning: Very liberal
Who she’s voting for: Biden
I am motivated to vote because it is a quick and impactful way to participate in the democratic process. Elected officials and the platforms they run on should be constantly evolving to reflect the evolving interests of the people they represent. I feel that in the past four years the U.S. government has dramatically stagnated, and at times, moved backward from the overwhelming priorities of younger generations. I want to do my part in electing a presidential ticket that will progress our country on the path that my generation is fighting for. I am motivated to vote because, with so many overwhelming issues in our country affecting so many Americans’ lives, voting seems like the only thing that is still in our control.
“I am motivated to vote because, with so many overwhelming issues in our country affecting so many Americans’ lives, voting seems like the only thing that is still in our control.”
Anonymous
School: University of Michigan
Year: Junior
Political leaning: Very conservative
Who they’re voting for: Trump
I believe that we have a cultural decision at stake in this election. While those on the left have long pushed for societal change, traditionally the mainstream left has attempted to make changes from within the system as it stands. More recently, a view that was traditionally less mainstream has been gaining more traction within the Democratic Party. Many on the left have decided that the system as it stands now is broken and must be destroyed and rebuilt. This is truly a departure from the traditional discourse of American politics, where no matter how great the disagreement, both sides could almost always agree that America is, at its core, a good country. Yes, we have made many mistakes, and we are not perfect, but the idea of America is that we are constantly striving towards those ideals outlined in the Declaration of Independence and protected by the Constitution.
In my opinion, that is what this election is about. Many see it as a choice of character, or a choice of party, or a choice of policy, but I think one needs to step back and appreciate the cultural effects of the policies of the party that they support. Ask yourself: What will this mean for the future of America? That is what motivates me to vote for Donald Trump. I do not agree with everything he has done or said, and I am not afraid to criticize him on things I disagree with. But objectively considering what he has done policy-wise in office, I support him for the presidency. In addition to this, I see Trump as a bulwark against the left’s idea of destroying the American system, which I disagree with. I do not believe that Biden, however moderate he claims to be, can stand up to the new wave of thinking in the Democratic Party.
“Many see it as a choice of character, or a choice of party, or a choice of policy, but I think one needs to step back and appreciate the cultural effects of the policies of the party that they support.”
