The primaries are heating up. As evidenced by the last Republican debate, the candidates are passionately vying for favorable positions among voters and delegates.
Thus, many college students feel the millennial vote should prove to be a significant factor for certain candidates. However, the young vote in Michigan might be in jeopardy at MSU as the primary election day falls on March 8, smack in the middle of spring break.
This is also troublesome, as recent showings of student voting numbers in local and state elections have been less than staggering. Additionally, studies have shown a steadily decreasing millennial voter presence since the tumult of the 2008 presidential election.
This is indicative through the young voter attraction to Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders. He has developed an impressive following among college-aged voters.
“I think that more students are turning out to vote because of Bernie Sanders,” world politics sophomore Marena Tedaldi said. “Bernie is bringing to light a lot of what is wrong with our political system, and that’s bringing young voters out to the polls.”
Many politically active students on campus claim to be ready, and have made preparations to ensure their voice is heard on election day.
English junior Justin Gould is registered in his hometown, Oakland County, and said “spring break doesn’t factor into my voting plans.”
Some students, however, live in other parts of the country, and don’t have the luxury of simply voting at home in the primaries.
International relations junior Kathleen Mckee is registered to vote in the state of Florida, which has a primary date of March 15. As a political nerd since childhood, she said she has been registered to vote since her 18th birthday and will not let anything stand in her way of exercising her right to vote.
Still, other students traveling during spring break need to obtain absentee ballots because of their travel plans.
Tedaldi is traveling next week and plans to pick up an absentee ballot from the East Lansing clerk in order to cast her vote in the primary.
Political theory and constitutional democracy sophomore Ron Owens is a registered voter in the Saginaw area and said he plans to vote there.
He also said feels the date of the primary is problematic for young voters in the East Lansing area.
“The fact that many students are registered to vote here in E.L., and spring break is during the primary season, it will certainly have a negative impact on youth getting to the polls,” Owens said.
He also acknowledged the decreasing young voter turnout and said he thinks the passion and drive of the candidates in this election are more attractive to college students.
Thus, young voter turnout, especially from college students, is expected to be higher in this presidential primary as well as the general election.
“Students are becoming more politically engaged and passionate about certain presidential candidates,” Owens said. “Like the Obama campaign, candidates are doing a great job with connecting with young voters through social media, engaging rhetoric and a passion for change.”
