With the primaries starting to pop up in several states, it really is starting to feel as though the 2024 election is right around the corner. Although some students will wait just a little longer to jump into the election news cycle, which can sometimes be slightly stressful, other students have decided to follow the news and pay attention to this important part of American democracy.
For viewers, it felt as though the election process started with the Republican debates held last fall. Since then, the Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire primary have solidified that this election may be closer than one may think. In the race today, the principal candidates for the Republican Party include former U.S. ambassador at the U.N., Nikki Haley, as well as former President Donald Trump.
Cassandra McFadden, a junior studying sociology and political science, said she believed it was super important to follow what was going on in the elections not only for her classes, but also as a person living in the U.S.
She said one of the big things she has been following is which states may or may not ban former President Donald Trump from the ballot in the primaries which could potentially have an impact on him being the Republican nominee.
“That’s been really interesting to see as someone who’s studied constitutional law, actually understanding the various interpretations of it,” she said.
McFadden said she believes it is very important to follow the election before it is down to only two candidates as you learn so much more about certain issues and the way elections work beforehand.
“I think it's really important for other people because you get to see more of that than you do in the presidential debates once it's down to two candidates,” she said.
McFadden said the things she would suggest that people follow when trying to learn more about the elections include social media, the debates and third parties.
“I feel like third parties can be more reflective of specific issues closer to the people’s hearts,” she said.
Oliver Sarver, a junior studying creative writing, said although he has been busy keeping up with the conflict in Gaza, he will eventually pay more attention to the elections and what is going on.
He said he found that paying attention to elections was very important because policies have a direct influence on people in the country.
“If you have the option to get some sort of say in how decisions are made, you should take it,” Sarver said. “It is important to do so.”
Kore Bourbeau, a sophomore studying journalism, said although they have been paying attention to other world news, they are starting to pay more attention to the elections.
They said paying attention to elections is important as those elected directly impact important aspects of everyone’s lives.
“The people we’ll be electing will be directly influencing job searches after getting out of college,” Bourbeau said. “With the 2024 election, I’m going to graduate in four years and those are the people that will impact me as I’m trying to find a job, especially in the journalism field, which is very political oftentimes.”
Mo Martens, a sophomore studying geography, said although she is trying to pay attention a little bit, the subject can sometimes bring up anxiety so it’s not something she pays attention to at all times.
“I think a lot of people have their opinion on how things should end up,” she said. “I’m fine (thinking) a little bit (about politics) but not too much because I also think it can be really stressful and frustrating to get too involved in it.”
Martens said it is important to follow the elections but that not everyone will be able to and that that is OK as well.
“If you’re in a place mentally where that’s something that you can tolerate, I think it’s very important to just understand what’s going on,” she said. “Being naive and ignorant can be damaging even if that’s not your intention but then it’s also not fair to expect everyone to be fully involved when it’s a very stressful, polarizing topic.”
