On Oct. 21, The Oakland Post interviewed students around campus to hear what they have to say about the upcoming election. Students had a wide range of beliefs, and various issues were discussed. Here is what students have to say about it.
Are you voting? Why or why not?
“I’m voting. I think it’s really important to vote, like your opinion matters.” – Jayla Kates
“I will not actually. Everybody is talking about choosing the lesser evil nowadays … if that’s the case, then I might as well not vote at all.” – Neo Hang
“I’m absolutely voting. As as an election worker, I believe that it’s super important for as many people to turn out as possible, and especially with there being so many ways to vote now, be it early, in person, absentee.” – Ethan Lehman-Pace
“I don’t see why you wouldn’t vote. I mean, it impacts your everyday life, sure, you know, for the next four years.” – Ethan Kaiser
Which presidential candidate are you voting for and why?
“Kamala, I just love what she stands for. And then another thing I’m worried about is the other party, I’m a woman and women’s rights are being taken away if [Trump] wins.” – Jayla Kates
“Donald Trump. I liked, four years ago with foreign affairs I felt that our foreign affairs were better.” – Ethan Kaiser
“I’m still undecided about that. I’m thinking about voting third party or Trump, but I’m not too sure yet.” – Talha Siddiqui
“I’m voting for Kamala Harris because she supports women’s rights, and she’s against guns.” – Amelia Venza
“Donald Trump because he most aligns with my religious values.” – Jonathan Mullins
“Kamala Harris … protecting our democracy is something that’s super important to me … voter advocacy is a huge thing for me, and so I believe that the candidate who hasn’t tried to overthrow the government in a coup is the one who has my vote.” – Ethan Lehman-Pace
“Donald Trump. Because Kamala is the vice president right now and with how things are in the economy and the border and everything, I don’t think that I would vote for someone who is a higher-up in what’s going on right now.” – John Hall
What are your key issues? Why?
“In all states, you should need a voter’s ID to vote … because if I need an ID to do anything, I need an ID to drive, I need an ID to go into a bar, I need an ID to go to class. I feel like you should need an ID to vote.” – Alexander Tron
“The economy and the border crisis … the border crisis is because my parents got here legally, came here legally, and so when I see people cutting lines, getting into this country, it’s like lying.” – Talha Siddiqui
“Definitely women’s rights and reproductive freedom, for sure. Because I just feel like it’s so important, and I feel like the government shouldn’t put laws on women’s bodies, especially if there’s none against men.” – Amelia Venza
“Abortion and inflation I’d say, because I feel that abortion is such a critical issue that nobody can agree on in this country at this time, and definitely inflation has increased dramatically since the last election.” – Jonathan Mullins
“The economy is number one. Because, as a young college student trying to pay for tuition or even paying for everyday things, I can’t afford the things that I need, I have to rely on assistance from my parents. Thank goodness, they’re very supportive in that way. But you know, 10 years down the line, I’m going to start a family, I’m going to need to buy a house. I’m going to need to buy things for myself. And with how things are going right now, I don’t see that being feasible.” – John Hall
“Democracy really is on the ballot. We have a candidate who has attempted to overthrow a lawfully elected government. January 6 was a coup attempt, and every insurrectionist that’s being charged right now is deservedly so. I mean, it was an attempted insurrection. They wanted to hang Mike Pence … January 6 is a big deal, but the fact that it isn’t a bigger deal in the public consciousness, to me, is crazy. That’s, that’s my number one issue.” – Ethan Lehman-Pace
“I think my one that I’m really strong about, which I spoke of before, is women’s rights.” – Jayla Kates
What questions do you want the candidates to answer?
“What motivated you to run in the race?” – Jayla Kates
“What are your first 100 days in office going to look like?” – Talha Siddiqui
“If you didn’t have the president’s job, what would you do?” – Cameron
“Are you serious about the values you’re putting out about yourself?” – Jonathan Mullins
“Young people are increasingly more interested in high-speed mass transit and more interconnectedness. Being someone from the Motor City, it’s hard convincing a lot of people around here to be interested in public transit, so what would your plan be to work with the Department of Transportation and get funding put not just into cars, but public transit?” – Ethan Lehman-Pace
“Do you really love America?” – Neo Hang
“I’d ask [Trump] if he’d ever consider changing his beliefs on [abortion].” – Ethan Kaiser
Are you going to vote on Senate/House races? What are your thoughts on that?
“I’m going to be honest, no I’m not. I need to get better at it because I know it’s important as well.” – Jayla Kates
“I’m not following them as closely as the presidential election, but I am following them. I know Slotkin and Mike Rogers are on. For the House, I think the incumbents will win.” –Talha Siddiqui
“I know Hill Harper Lawson lost the primary to a career politician, Elissa Slotkin – I ain’t like that. I felt like he was for the people … but I felt like, because she worked for both administrations, she won because her face is out there … It was a learning experience, seeing that race because she didn’t come into the rural areas, she only catered to her people.” – Cameron
“I live in the 10th District, which is the John James Carl Marlinga district, and I think that race is going to be really important. I mean, it could decide the control of the House … We’ve got a lot of key races here in Michigan, and I think when people say that they don’t think their vote matters, I think that they’re ridiculous. We’re in one of the states where your vote matters the most.” – Ethan Lehman-Pace
“I’m not gonna vote but good luck, I hope whatever promises you have I hope you are gonna fulfill.” – Neo Hang
