This story was originally published in Vol. 34, Issue 6 (March 2024)
Some students feel a sense of disengagement and apathy with the upcoming presidential election, in the midst of increasing campaign efforts by candidates and political discourse on social media. WSU Vancouver’s students are, on average, 25 years of age according to the university’s website—a young populace that is relatively new to being able to vote. The VanCougar asked 23 students on campus whether the election mattered and whether they would vote. Evidently, some share a sense of disinterest and disillusionment with the electoral process that may be cause for concern as a possible sign of a larger trend among young adults across educational institutions nationwide.
Business student Axel Lira did not know about the upcoming election and was surprised.
“I was unaware that there was an election taking place this year,” he said. “I will conduct more research on the candidates as time goes on.”
Judah Tanninen, a senior studying computer science, expressed some disregard for major candidates when asked if they plan to vote.
“Depends,” Tanninen said. “I’m sick of old dudes in power, so only if there are some newer candidates that seem promising.”
Muhamad Al-Zughir, also studying computer science, shared similar sentiments regarding the candidates, but expressed a sense of duty to vote.
“To some extent I can’t help but feel some disillusionment with the electoral process,” said Al-Zughir. “It doesn’t feel as though I myself as an individual can make a difference, and even if I could somehow sway an election one way or another, I personally don’t feel very much excitement with many of the candidates running. I will be voting, even with the belief that I won’t be making a difference or that there is a lack of excitement. I view it in a way that if everybody shared the belief that they just shouldn’t vote because of the little difference they’d make then that would lead to terrible consequences.”
Finance student Villva Daniels expressed cynicism about the election.
“I feel like I’m choosing between the lesser of two evils,” said Daniels.
Bryndon Vicente was much more direct and stern towards his disregard for the race based on the candidate choices.
“If it’s Donald Trump and Joe Biden again then I won’t care,” said Vicente. “If it’s the same candidates as last election I will not be voting.”
Some students showed even stronger indifference towards the presidential race. Joe Hernandez Lopez said he will not be voting at all.
“No, because I don’t need to vote,” said Hernandez Lopez.
Ashton Wagner cares but was unsure about voting.
“I care because I want my country in good hands, I probably won’t vote because I haven’t been keeping up with it.” Wagner said.
James Fisher and Noah Guerrero had much different perspectives on the matter of local elections and the importance of their vote.
“I’m more concerned about local elections than presidential elections,” Fisher said. “I would say the presidential election doesn’t really impact me that much.”
“In terms of my personal vote, Washington has already kind of been determined if I’m being totally honest, it doesn’t matter,” said Guerrero.
Sage Ford, a mechanical engineering student, not only does not care to vote, but shared much stronger disillusionment towards the process, regardless of the candidates.
“It does not matter too much to me that it’s election year, since it’s just a changing of presidents.” Ford said. “I’m not very interested or involved in politics, and feel fairly powerless in the presidential election. The popular vote is more of a metric, it’s the electoral votes that matter. To have any sway, I’d have to contact an electoral voter or local governor, and I’ve got so much other [personally] valuable things to do. For those reasons, I do not plan to vote in the election this year. I personally don’t see it important enough to spend time researching candidates, voting, or contacting local government.”
It should be noted that Ford mentioned that she is planning to emigrate from the United States shortly after graduation, and that she is “one of the least patriotic people you’ll meet,” which strongly factored into her decision.
There were some outliers among the students interviewed on campus. Eden Alshanski, a junior studying computer science, felt more strongly about this year’s election, citing the wars and need for material change in the lower class. Despite this, Alshanski also felt some disillusionment in the voting process.
“The election year does matter,” said Alshanski. “There are wars going on in the world right now, and America should treat the lower working classes better. I will be voting because I want to help these situations steer in the right direction, but I also don’t believe that voting in America has much power.”
Alexandr Kochenkov mentioned his recent interest in politics, citing his brothers as a big influence.
“Yes it matters to me particularly for the last couple of years,” said Kochenkov. “[I] started paying more attention to politics and what each of the candidates wants to offer. I am pretty sure that I will be casting a vote. With the upcoming election this year, I have focused more and more into politics and the different running candidates, especially for the past couple of months. Personally I was influenced by my older brothers, particularly when they would talk amongst each other. I started to focus more into the ideals and goals of each of the candidates and compared them with what my personal views were. I realize that a single vote does not have the power to move mountains, but in a way, knowing that I should vote, I want to make sure to vote for [someone] that resembles my views the best.”
Michael McCann shared a similar belief in the power of representation and making his voice heard through voting.
“Yes [I will be voting], it’s too important to me and it’s important to make my voice heard,” said McCann. “It is very important to vote in this upcoming election but also smaller elections as well.”
Melvin Garcia held a strong belief that each individual vote has the power to create change, a sentiment that is noticeably absent among other students interviewed.
“I care because I want a positive change to occur, and voting is the only way to do that,” said Garcia. “I am voting as a way to create change.”
Out of the 23 students that were willing to be cited, seven students did not care at all whatsoever about the election and likely will not vote. Eight students cared about the election but felt their vote did not matter. Six students cared about the election and will vote and one student cared but said he likely will not vote. One student cannot vote due to being an international student but said they hoped the voters would make the right decision. Of the eight students that cared but felt their vote did not matter, most of them said it hinged on who would be the candidates, with the implication that they would be less likely to cast a vote if the same major candidates were on the ballot.
William Albert, a staff writer of the VanCougar, contributed to this report.
Shawyan is a junior studying computer science at WSU Vancouver.