Voting on College Campuses
By: Victoria Salters
As the 2024 election cycle gains momentum, college students nationwide are increasingly participating in the democratic process by exercising their right to vote, which is due to campuses, including AUM, facilitating voter registration and education.
According to Tuft University’s recent National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement (NSLVE) voter turnout among college students rose 14% from the previous election cycle. This increase indicates young adults’ increased realization of the power of their voices to influence the political system.
With a surge in voter registration drives and civic engagement initiatives on campuses, young voters are poised to make a significant impact on the upcoming election. “I believe it’s crucial for us as college students to engage in the electoral process actively,” said Deyundre Graham, a junior communication disorders major at AUM. “Our generation faces pressing challenges like climate change, student debt, and social justice issues. By voting, we have the power to advocate for the changes we want to see.”
Increased participation is due to universities and student organizations hosting voter registration drives and candidate forums, and providing resources to inform students about key issues and candidates’ platforms. At AUM, the student government (SGA) has set up voter registration sign-ups in the Taylor Center.
Also on campus is the AUM Poll, the only non-partisan, non-special interest polling organization in the state serving as a public service to survey salient issues to Alabamians. The AUM Poll, directed by associate professor of political science David Hughes, surveys Alabamians to generate public knowledge of Alabama voters’ preferences regarding political candidates and public policies.
However, college students’ views on the 2024 election differ from those of the general American public. Devontae Lee Coachman, a graduate student here at AUM said, “When I have conversations about politics with those from the older generation I often feel a disconnect, I feel like many young voters feel like the issues many Americans care about don’t correlate to our values.” While some are enthusiastic about the possibility of improvements, others express worries about the polarizing political environment and the capacity of elected authorities to handle important issues. According to a The Business Insider report, a third of young voters said they wouldn’t want to be friends with someone who voted for a different presidential candidate.
The involvement of college students in the democratic process highlights their dedication to influencing the course of the country as the 2024 election approaches. Their combined voice promises to be a force for change in the political sphere as long as they keep organizing and speaking out for their goals.