Students gathered at Ruffner Fountain on Election Day, waiting for the chance to walk to their polling place to practice their right to vote.
“Walk to Vote” took place on Nov. 8 at 4 p.m. The College Democrats, College Republicans and Politics Club collaborated to organize the walk.
“I think it is great to see this many students coming out to vote and showing that our generation is not as lazy as people say and that we are actually doing our part,” said president of the College Democrats Joe Hyman.
About 15 Lancers came out to take part in the walk with excited smiles, and most had a good understanding of whom they were going to vote for. The student voters expressed the importance of voting in the election. Some felt their vote was meaningful and powerful. Some reflected on a time when many Americans did not have the right to vote.
“We, as Americans, have this right to vote, and I think it is very important to exercise this right because many of us did not always have this right to vote. So, I feel like no matter what your political stance is, it is important to go in and make your voice heard in this election,” said senior Miranda Watkins.
Different policies and issues helped students make their decision on which candidate to vote for. Topics concerning women’s rights, selection of supreme court justices and the behavior of candidates throughout the presidential race were factors that largely impacted the students’ decisions.
“The most important things to me were the supreme court justices. So, even if I didn’t agree with the policy of any of the candidates, all five, it was still important to see policy-wise which one aligned closest with my opinions because that’s who is going to be putting in Supreme Court justices, and those supreme court justices reign for their entire life. They’re lifetime appointment, so literally for my grandchildren,” said president of College Republicans Malina Foldesi.
“Voting is a civic duty. If you don’t do it, you can’t complain about the outcome,” said freshman Emily Cooley.
