Alyssa McDonald, senior broadcasting major from Salt Lake City, Utah:
As someone who grew up in a place where religion and politics are one and the same, it’s been off-putting to see a rise in people who blindly put their faith in religious leaders, accepting every word they say without a second thought. This election I hope that people don’t blindly vote for a candidate simply based on their religious affiliation, or their religion’s “endorsement” of said candidate. While religion provides people with morals and ethical codes, I would ask those who are voting in local, state and national elections to vote for candidates, regardless of their party affiliation, that embody good morals and ethics that you think are important, instead of checking a box because they are the same denomination as you, or because your religious leader said to.
T Rodriguez, senior nursing major from Kalamazoo, Michigan:
This election is like no other. There is so much division and not much middle ground between the two parties. I believe this has caused extreme believers from both parties. I think both candidates have their flaws and one definitely more than the other. I am open-minded and I like to research both parties’ plans before I make a choice. What is important to me is policies regarding healthcare, economics and education. For me, access to healthcare for all Americans is more of a priority than affording groceries. In this election, the choice is clear to me as character and policies play a big role for me in this decision. I think there is a lack of openness to learning how economics works and the roles of the vice president. This is our future we are deciding and we should take this opportunity to shape it.
Richard Figueroa Jr., junior accounting major from Goshen, Indiana:
When voting in the 2023 local elections, I gained a new perspective on elections and how they are run much more respectfully, and how the candidates cater to the needs of the people in their own city, as they live in Goshen and experience what problems Goshen has — even talking about compromises made to benefit everyone. It was a very stark contrast to how the current national election landscape is marked by significant polarization, creating even deeper divisions between people in the United States. This is shown by the contrasts between political ideologies, creating an “us versus them” mentality in voters. This mentality fosters hostile behavior, which makes it nearly impossible for compromises to arise. This makes it difficult to come to resolutions about any pressing societal and humanitarian issues. I believe we should focus more on people rather than siding with a political agenda.
Julia Miller, sophomore biochemistry major, minor in women and gender studies, Holmes County, Ohio:
This is the first presidential election that I have voted in, and this is both exciting and terrifying to me. The thing that scares me the most is the possibility of electing Donald Trump and allowing Project 2025 to take action. Among so many things, the stripping of reproductive rights with Project 2025 would impact everyone, not just women, and more specifically, people of color. It makes me so frustrated that some voters base their choice only on whether their candidate is “pro-life” when considering abortion or not. Abortion access is such a small part of the healthcare and education that is provided to women that would be taken away if Trump were elected. There is no perfect candidate in this election, but Kamala Harris would certainly work to protect access to contraceptives, basic reproductive care, abortion access and other fundamental freedoms that are at risk.
Kamille Badibanga, senior public health major from Hesperia, California:
This election cycle has triggered significant division in our country, much like the 2016 presidential election. There is rhetoric that creates an “us versus them” mentality, but instead, we should focus on advocating for each other and encouraging a sense of community. I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and engaging in open dialogue with one another is crucial. Although, when it comes to the well-being of individuals, basic human decency should be a universal right. Politics often bring out the worst in people, but regardless of the narratives presented to us in the media, we must strive to treat one another with respect and compassion, especially concerning issues that affect people’s lives. As we witness ongoing debates and rallies about critical policies — such as healthcare access, economic equity, and social justice — it’s vital to remember that these are not just political issues but matters that profoundly impact real lives. I encourage everyone to go vote, not just for their own rights, but for the rights of those around them.
