First-Time Voters Discuss Voting for Trump or Harris As President
Jessica Carpenter
For over 8 million young Americans, the 2024 election will be their first chance to cast their vote. Couched in one of the most divisive times in U.S. history, and characterized by contentious social issues and fiery rhetoric, this election landscape is no new feat for young voters. In fact, it’s an environment they’ve grown into over the last decade of their lives.
This year is the first time BridgeUSA’s membership is primarily made up of first-time voters and those younger. We asked a few of these student leaders across the country their thoughts on the election and about how their depolarization work on campus has influenced their perception of politics.
“I think this is such an important election to be a first time voter in,” said Justin, a first-time voter and the former president of BridgeUSA at Tulane University. “You have two leaders with fundamentally different visions for the nation approaching a close contest, and an opportunity for an impactful vote.”
Jacob, a first-time voter from North Carolina University, and the president of BridgeNCSU said, “I am very excited to be a first-time voter during this election! I think that this year’s election is one to go down in the history books, and I feel grateful that I get to take part in this monumental event.”
While several students were looking forward to voting for the first time this election, others were disappointed in their two main choices for president.
“I feel very anxious and frustrated about being a first time voter in a presidential election,” said Helen from the University of Maine. “Our democracy is a wonderful thing, but I hate feeling like choosing between the ‘lesser of two evils’. Our republic needs civil engagement to endure, so I am prepared to make a decision and cast my ballot in November.”
“I hate that the first election I get to vote in has two candidates that don’t support my main issue, which is ending the arms embargo of Israel.” Victor, a member of the BridgeUSA chapter at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas, said that while he isn’t a one-issue voter, the Israel and Gaza war is one of several key issues driving his vote this election. Others included abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and making sure the U.S. didn’t fall to “tyranny”.
“As a young person, I’d love to be able to afford a home sometime in the next 10 years,” said Adam, the former president of BridgeUSA at Jacksonville University, and the current National Marketing Manager for BridgeUSA. “As someone who is new to living on their own, I see how expensive groceries and gas have become. I’ll be voting for the candidate I believe will lower it.”
Social issues, including reproductive rights, immigration and the conflict in the Middle East, as well as the economy are hot topics all driving Gen Z to the polls this election.
Since the last presidential election, 16 million young people have come of voting age, totaling 40.8 million members of Gen Z (ages 18-27) eligible to vote in 2024. Representing 16% of the voting population, Gen Z has become known for its progressive stances on social issues, its prominent activism, and its cynicism and mistrust of political leaders. Which all makes sense for a generation whose political upbringing has been shaped by political division, a global pandemic, several red flags raised on the environment and living costs, and multiple historical political events since 2016.
With a political outlook shaped by so much dysfunction, many young people have not experienced constructive political interaction, and may even think something like it is out of reach. BridgeUSA is looking to challenge this mindset that so many young people have grown into, and create a space for real dialogue on issues that they care about.
“I can’t remember a time when politics wasn’t a taboo topic that you only spoke about in private. And if you did speak about it, it was only with people who you knew agreed with you,” said Jacob. “With BridgeUSA, I have been able to take advantage of the fact that I have close ties to people with different beliefs from my own. I can share my ideas with them in conversation, and we can challenge each other’s beliefs in a safe and productive way that helps me solidify my firmly-held beliefs and challenge my looser ones.”
“Division, and the types of political conversations it created, made me pessimistic about politics for a long time, even sometimes making me dislike some who had different views than me,” said Justin. “BridgeUSA has certainly made me more optimistic about political issues and the value of the election. I came to understand the nuance in political issues, and the logic behind so many viewpoints on key topics.”
“I was raised in a conservative family and was taught that the “other side” is evil and not “God-like,” said Victor. “I went to an extremely liberal middle and high school, in which I was bullied for both my political and religious beliefs. Towards the end of high school, I grew to realize how wrong both sides are.”
“[Through BridgeUNLV], I have seen how similar everyone is, just with different perspectives, and who you vote for does not define who you are, it just shows what political topic/conflict someone is most interested in,” he said.
An unfortunate side effect of political division has been the increase in self-censorship among students. In 2021, University Business found that 52% of students said they keep political opinions to themselves out of fear of reprisal from other students and professors in terms of respect, grades and even safety.
“I’ve come to realize that often, people refuse to listen not because their ideology is being attacked but because their values are being questioned,” said Isaac, BridgeUSA chapter president at St. Mary’s College. “BridgeUSA has deepened my understanding of how crucial elections are to society. [It] has taught me that bipartisan efforts can lead to better outcomes.”
“Becoming a part of my school’s BridgeUSA chapter showed me that there are people here who are interested in hearing views opposed to their own,” Adam said. He referenced many discussions that he’s had at BridgeJU, saying, “While I still hold the same views, the other side is no longer foreign and I understand where people are coming from.”
With this election being surrounded by so much division and calls to uphold democracy, we thought it’d be fun to ask these BridgeUSA students their best bridge-building advice for the next president. Currently, 87% of Americans say political division is a threat to the country, and if young people can do it on campus, why not our political leaders?
“The best advice that I could give is to stress the importance of the matter(s) at hand and remind everyone involved that, at the end of the day, we are all a part of a larger political entity– the United States of America,” said Jacob. “No matter if we disagree on the means, we are all working towards the same end: To continue to thrive in one of the largest, most diverse countries in the world.”
He also encouraged political leaders to involve young people more outside of election season, and be more open to communication with the public while in office.
“Encourage compassion. Don’t allow political theater to undermine the real changes that need to happen,” said Anna, chapter leader at BridgeUSA at the University of Missouri. “I think political leaders need to give voters hope by making politics a more welcoming topic. Focus on mending the partisan relationship through ensuring effective communication of constituent needs and wants. ”
“Americans need this president to demonstrate that impactful work can be done despite disagreement. I would remind an incoming president that they represent the entirety of the United States, not just the portion of Americans who supported their candidacy,” Justin said. When asked how political leaders can best empower this next generation of voters, he said, “Young people have watched the government fail every audit that they can remember, spend exuberantly while people starve, and lie blatantly and unforgivably when confronted, all while convincing the populace that each other is to blame. Young voters need to know that their interests are heard and valued, and that the government will hold itself to the same societal standards that Americans expect from one another.”
“I do believe we would be better served by our politicians and elected officials if they would focus less on their media appearances or next campaign and more on their constituents,” said Adam. “Get stuff done. Show us that our system can better the lives of Americans.”