This year’s increase in early voting could lead to the highest rate of voter turnout in a century. The record-breaking numbers are, in part, due to the increase in popularity of mail-in ballots during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also because both Republicans and Democrats are enthusiastic about voting in the 2020 election. Students who support President Trump are motivated to reelect him, and those who don’t want four more years are motivated to vote him out of office.
Tyler, one of the students participating in the Chegg.org/College Pulse #MyElection study, is excited to vote for Donald Trump because of his anxiety around Joe Biden’s platform, which he believes could disrupt the United States’ economy. On the other hand, Daniel A. says that while Biden wasn’t his first choice, he feels “motivated by the fact that it feels like he is the candidate America needs right now in order to begin the process of healing the partisan divide.”
A few of the students voted early, including Daniel V. He voted as soon as polls opened in his area and found the experience to be quick and easy. Kareen experienced a line while voting early, but was pleased her university offered free parking and supported college students performing their civic duty. Daniel A. cast his ballot by mail and was thankful there weren’t any issues, because by the time his ballot had been marked received it would have been too late to correct them. But while many of the students were able to vote with ease, Kathryn and Chase had trouble getting their absentee ballots. “It was also a frustrating reminder of how challenging it can be to vote in this country,” Kathryn says.
Daniel V.
School: University of Texas at Dallas
Year: Senior
Political leaning: Very liberal
Who he’s voting for: Biden
I’ve voted in every major election cycle since I turned 18 in 2014, so I had a fair idea of what to expect this go-around. However, with COVID I still wasn’t sure what health protections would be in place for voters. I was relieved that my polling place, a brief walk away from my home, mandated masks and had hand sanitizer available. I voted the Saturday after early voting opened in Texas (10/17) in order to avoid the initial flood of voters reported in many states. The line was entirely concentrated within the building itself and took one minute, maybe two, to pass through. While I was grateful for such an easy voting experience, I hope that the relative sparseness of the line (and the old age of many of the voters) doesn’t foreshadow a low voter turnout in my county.
Chase
School: Arizona State University
Year: Senior
Political leaning: Very conservative
Who he’s voting for: Trump
This election was the first time that I was able to vote for a president; however, the first election I was able to vote in was the 2018 Arizona midterm. This allowed me to vote for senators and members of the House of Representatives for Arizona, as well as a few exclusive seats such as the secretary of state and state treasurer.
The experience of the 2020 election was very different for me, as it was my first time voting in person at ASU’s poll center, rather than doing a mail-in ballot. Wearing a mask and filling out the ballot in a booth was an entirely different encounter than being able to sit at home, researching candidates and propositions. I had originally intended to use a mail-in ballot for this election. As is the case with many people I know, my ballot never came in the mail and I had to go in person to the voting center to cast my vote. Overall, the experience of voting in person was exactly like I thought it would be, being able to walk in and contribute to the election of the candidates and propositions that I support for my state and my country.
Kareen
School: Texas A&M University
Year: Senior
Political leaning: Somewhat liberal
Who she’s voting for: Biden
While the anticipation for [the election] results is eerily reminiscent of the November 6, 2018 United States Senate election here in Texas (a day nothing short of nerve-racking) today feels the slightest bit different, which I hope will be reflected in the outcome. An outcome several have claimed for years now — Texas is seeing a blue wave. Although the statement is a little hard to believe given its track record of repeatedly being disproved, the news regarding Texas’ record voter turnout does hold a promise of a tremendous change.
The 2018 election was the first and only election I had ever participated in until now, and just like two years prior, the election process this time around was equally uncomplicated. I voted early and waited no more than an hour in line. Drivers were accommodated with free parking at the garage directly across from the Memorial Student Center where voting was held. I was pleased to know that my university has continued to foster an environment that not only supports but encourages college students to complete their civic duty, especially when several campuses seek to suppress these voices.
Tyler
School: Binghamton University
Year: Doctor of Pharmacy student
Political leaning: Very conservative
Who he’s voting for: Trump
My first time voting was during the 2016 election. This election is very similar to last time, but to a more extreme degree. The country is divided, and people on every range of the political spectrum are often misinformed, myself included. I am having no difficulty voting for Donald Trump this year. As the election nears, I am nervous that our country is too divided to handle an election that has results in any direction. The socialistic ideas that currently radiate our country are frightening to me. Socialism does not work, has never worked, and will not work for the United States of America. Capitalism is a great societal system that rewards citizens who work hard and make great decisions. So, for this year, I am excited to place my vote for Donald Trump.
Daniel A.
School: American University
Year: Senior
Political leaning: Moderate
Who he’s voting for: Biden
This is actually the second general election I get to participate in. I was able to vote in-person back in 2016 and voted by mail just a few weeks ago. I think the biggest difference between both experiences is how much more important this election feels in comparison to 2016. I was not a big fan of either of the candidates four years ago, and I definitely underestimated how much damage a president could do in one short term! As I have stated previously, Joe Biden is not my ideal presidential candidate, but I feel motivated by the fact that it feels like he is the candidate America needs right now in order to begin the process of healing the partisan divide. That drive, to strongly support one candidate over another, is the biggest change I have experienced between my two voting experiences.
Voting was not particularly difficult, requesting my mail-in ballot was relatively simple and the biggest concern I encountered was how long it took for it to be delivered once I mailed it. The delay between mailing my ballot and checking that it was received was very concerning. I was notified that my ballot was accepted late enough that had there been any issues, I would not have had any time to correct them. Luckily though, I was able to vote without any obstacles. I know many in this country are not so lucky, and the unique circumstances we face this election cycle highlight just how much still needs to be done in America in terms of expanding options for voting.
Kathryn
School: Arizona State University
Year: Senior
Political leaning: Somewhat liberal
Who she’s voting for: Biden
This is the first time I have exercised my right to vote. Although I was eligible to vote during the 2018 midterm elections, I was unfamiliar with my state’s absentee ballot process and I completed my voter registration too late. I was determined not to make the same mistake this time. Unfortunately, it was still a challenging experience, as I had a difficult time tracking down my absentee ballot. I didn’t know when to expect it, but about two weeks ago, I became nervous that it hadn’t arrived. It turns out that my ballot had been mailed to an old address, where it was set aside without my notice for the last month.
Once the ballot was finally in my possession, I filled it out completely, taking special care to include local and state races. Idaho’s election laws mandate that mail-in ballots be received by Election Day, so I used “priority mail” to ensure my ballot arrived in time to be counted. While the experience helped equip me to vote again in the future, it was also a frustrating reminder of how challenging it can be to vote in this country.
Sydney
School: University of Colorado, Boulder
Year: Ph.D student
Political leaning: Very liberal
Who she’s voting for: Biden
This is my second time voting in a presidential election. I voted in person for the 2016 election at a location on campus, but for the 2020 election I chose to do an early voting mail-in ballot. It is incredible to see how many Americans voted early this year, and how many are flocking to the polls today. Seeing long lines on Election Day is making me hopeful, but I wanted to be sure my vote was counted and in on time, and this is why I chose to do early mail-in. Through this method, I didn’t face any obstacles, but I know a lot of Americans will spend hours today waiting in line, and it has never been more important with so many issues on the ballot!
Anonymous
School: University of Michigan
Year: Junior
Political leaning: Very conservative
Who they’re voting for: Trump
This is my first time voting in a presidential election, and since I am currently abroad I voted using an absentee ballot. The experience was easy, you just have to be responsible and request the ballot with enough time in advance for everything to arrive on time. This is not quite how I imagined my first time voting. I guess I thought I’d probably go with my parents to the local town hall to cast my vote, but in these strange times marked by COVID I guess nothing is quite like anyone would have imagined.
When you first take a look at the ballot, it can be a bit overwhelming. I definitely didn’t know all the names, and had to do a fair bit of research to see who aligned best with my views. Then I printed my ballot, filled it out, and mailed it. My state has a website where I could check if my ballot had arrived, which I greatly appreciated. After a few weeks, the website indicated that my ballot had been received.
