By: Marina Renzi
The 2016 presidential election is probably one
of the most hyped, historical, and unfavorable elections in all of American
history. The two candidates, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have been
debating back and forth throughout the past year in order to rack up the votes
to beat out the other opponent.
Young voters today can be seen watching the
debates and learning about the policies that both candidates have in order to
understand who to vote for.
“I already did vote. I got and sent in my
absentee ballot already. It is extremely easy for someone to get an absentee
ballot as long as they use forethought and plan it ahead of time and don’t
leave it to the last couple of weeks. I was extremely excited about voting and
can’t wait to see the outcome of the election,” said Jack Nevin.
Nevin’s permanent address is in Connecticut
but is currently a freshman at St. Andrew’s University in Scotland. Even
though Nevin is very far from the states, he was still able to vote by absentee
ballot.
Even though Scotland is on the other side of
the world, it is just as simple and easy for someone in the United States to
cast in their vote.
“I registered to vote in Pennsylvania so I can
vote on campus. Yes, it is very easy and I’m excited but nervous at the
same time for voting,” said Katerina Ringes.
Ringes is also from Connecticut but is at
school at Scranton University in Pennsylvania. So far, both these
students have agreed that voting is very easy while away at school.
While many students agree that voting is easy
with absentee ballots, there are some risks and challenges to them.
“The only difficulty with voting would be
putting off getting the absentee ballot and not handing it in on time,” said
Amy Bohling.
Bohling is not a very political person, but
has been following the current election on occasion.
“Voting away from home is not as simple as
just going to the high school or the town hall in your town. Now you have
to fill out an absentee ballot and submit that which is not necessarily harder
but it is more tedious. I am interested to see how it all turns out,”
said Alana Johnston, a freshman here at Stonehill College.
“I think it is sad that we have to choose
between two deeply concerning candidates. I also think it is interesting that
the presidential race, since the invention of television, has become so much
more about how a candidate presents himself or herself. It is more of a
character-based race rather than a policy-based race, for better or for worse.
People do not educate themselves on issues, but rather base their votes on news
soundbytes and Buzzfeed videos,” said Maren Brady. Brady is a freshman at
Baylor University in Texas and does not consider herself to be very political.
All of these young college students have one
thing in common, they all feel that the election this year is a difficult one
because of the choices in candidates.
“Definitely an increase of college students
using absentee ballots. heavy recruiting on campuses and heated,
emotional elections. Young voters are very involved in this election.
And absolutely more young voters are registering due to heavy media coverage
and opinions,” said Joanne Albanesi.
Albanesi is the Republican
party election official for Newtown, Connecticut. Her job is to oversee
the voting process in town and to work the polls as well as provide citizens
with information about the party she represents.
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