By Dylan Stovall, Staff Writer
Election day is less than a year away at this point and it’s time to start paying attention to who will be on the ballot on Nov. 5, 2024. As more primary debates erupt across the country, polling numbers have been on every political constituent’s mind.
In 2020, America saw its largest voting turnout in history with 66.9 percent of the voting-eligible population showing up in person or sending in a mail-in ballot according to the non-partisan American Presidency Project. Gen-Z, born between 1997 and 2010, is used to elections that are neck and neck and is preparing for another one in 2024, possibly with the same candidates as 2020.
Junior musical theatre major Kate Shoulders has been keeping up with President Biden since they voted for him in the 2020 election.
“I think it was a lose-lose situation so I picked the lesser of two evils,” Shoulders said. “In 2019, I was definitely more naive and I was very anti-Trump, which therefore made me pro-Biden. It was not backed by any facts or research that I had done. Now that I’m older and I know more about our American political system and the corruption, my stance has definitely changed.”
Biden has been seeing major backlash for a multitude of reasons from Gen-Z. Some younger voters are not happy with how the Biden administration has handled the student loan forgiveness after the Supreme Court blocked the decision.
LIU Post alumni Christian Matos weighed in with his experience with The Department of Education.
“I sent my application online and I got a confirmation saying that they would get back to me,” Matos said. “I got one update that said the application process has been paused and since then I have not heard about the reimbursement. It opened my eyes, he hasn’t upheld his end of the deal. I kinda feel like he just says some things to just get some votes.”
These comments come at a crucial time in the campaign season. Republican debates have begun with a multitude of candidates competing for the nomination. Meanwhile, Trump opted not to join the debate stage because he has seen his polling numbers start to rise while also facing multiple charges of indictments. Some see this as a warning sign for a totalitarian leader while others see him as a strong figure that will champion the disruption of traditional government. Junior biology major Ashley Mejia reflected on Trump’s presidency.
“I do not agree with everything Trump does but he does have the balls to get things done,” Mejia said. “I am scared if we go into war. I don’t know between Trump or Biden who is better for us abroad, but probably Trump. Biden hasn’t done anything these last four years in my opinion. I think Trump was keeping his enemies close which avoids war in a way. So I thought that was a smart move on his end.”
Senior dance major Jillian Fipps is focused on the current political climate and how it impacts her.
“I am definitely voting for Biden again,” Fipps said. “I did not like Trump or agree with him. He is too conservative and I am not. He is too extreme and does not have my best interest in mind. I like and agree with Biden. He is reasonable and more level-headed. Every day during Trump’s presidency there was something crazy in the news. Biden seems more professional and normal.”
Meanwhile, younger generations are calling out for two fresh candidates because of the polarization they have experienced over the last eight years.
“I think they both need to be put in a retirement home. Those guys have no brain cells left in their skulls,” Shoulders said.
Regardless of which party you vote for, it is important to share your voice in each election. To see if you are registered to vote or to sign up visit Vote.gov today so that you are ready for the 2024 Presidential election.
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