It’s voting season! With ballots sent out for the 2024 General Election, it’s time for voters in California and across the country to start preparing to vote. At Stanislaus State, registered students are also preparing to vote locally, state-wide and federally.

The Signal spoke to a diverse group of Stan State students to learn how they are feeling about the upcoming election. These students come from varied backgrounds, and while they disagree on some topics, they have formed similar opinions on others.

Almost every student expressed their thoughts on the federal election, and what national issues that they feel passionate about. Interviewed students unanimously agreed that it is important to vote, even if some feel less represented.

Kilee Henard (History, Sophomore) is unregistered and doesn’t have a party preference, but she spoke on the importance of voting, saying, “I do think that voting is important because it allows the general everyday people some amount of control over the society they live in.”

On local elections, Henard states, “I actually don’t know what is being voted on for either local, state, or propositions. As well as those who are running for the positions.”

Each state has its own propositions and local elections. A common trend that appeared in interviews with students, was that they frequently knew far less about local or state elections than the federal elections.

National issues affect millions of American citizens and spark debate all over the country, on what should be legislated or not. We asked students what issues they cared most about.

Henard shares that she feels strongly about LGBTQ+ rights.

“I am a member of the community myself, and I don’t like feeling like my life and rights as a citizen are on the line simply because I’m just existing,” Henard explains.

“I am not a fan of Trump nor his ideas. Not only is he a racist and a convicted felon, he’s just a weird guy in general and the way he speaks about people isn’t right. I do like Kamala’s optimism. Her willingness in her ideas to actually attempt to make a difference in the U.S. for citizens’ rights and lowering inflation as much as she can is notable,” she elaborated.

Katie Lu (English, Sophomore) is a registered member of the Democratic party. She believes that voting is important for our democracy.

“Voting is important in maintaining a democracy. So we can hear and address the concerns of the people. Unfortunately, it is quite a slow-moving process for us to be able to get to that stage,” Lu says.

Like Henard, Lu is unaware of what is being voted on locally, as she is not from Turlock.

“I’m not sure what’s being voted on locally, and I don’t know anyone running other than a local council member in my city,” she explains.

“I did vote for everything I saw on the ballot, but one of the propositions I do recall is where it talked about providing funding for the repairing or refurbishing of schools,” she says.

Some people are not well educated on local or state elections or issues. Lu was aware of Proposition 2, but other students interviewed were either unable to recall what was being voted on or had not yet looked into the propositions.

Lu ended her thoughts by speaking on the federal election, and how it could possibly be a historical moment for the books.

“While I do not know much about the current presidential nominees due to lack of interest, regardless I still do have strong feelings. However, I do know that this federal election is definitely going to make history if we have our first female president who is also a person of color,” Lu says.

Alexandra Santos (Art, Freshman) is unregistered but aligns herself with the Republican party. When asked about her thoughts on the importance of voting she agreed that voting was important.

“Yes, I do think that voting is important. However, with that, I think that the federal election is still going to generate a lot of unhappiness with whoever wins,” she says.

Unlike the others, she was very brief and to the point when talking about her opinions regarding the election. She concluded her thoughts with her opinions on the federal election and its presidential candidates.

“I believe that both candidates suck, but truthfully I think that Trump is the better choice. However, one of the main things that I believe is that the U.S. should be working on spending money to better America and our society, rather than sending billions of dollars to other countries,” she explains.

Brandon Coldiron (English, Senior) is registered as an independent. He feels that voting is important, even if he currently feels unrepresented.

Like the others, Coldiron spoke about the local elections and how he currently doesn’t know what’s being voted on locally. However, he takes a different approach in preparing for the vote.

“I usually take about a week of researching and reading before I go and vote, as I don’t have time every single day to keep up with the news.” He explains before speaking about people running for said positions. “No, funnily enough, I don’t know whose running. I think it’s important that we do vote but I don’t think it’s the pinnacle activity of what we do.”

Coldiron has some firm beliefs on the federal election, and if there should be an age limit on those who run for or hold office.

“I think that if you’re over 65 and old enough to retire, you shouldn’t be allowed to run or hold office. Even if you do hold office, you shouldn’t be able to be appointed to a new office,” Coldiron expresses.

He had finished up his thoughts on the election by speaking on the national issues that he felt strongly about, even if it was few.

“There are not many issues particularly because of how many conflicting ones there are, and I don’t think anyone’s particularly wrong or right. So I don’t stand firmly on anything because of that. However, one that I actually do feel strongly about is social and welfare programs. They are not a very hot thing, and if it is, nobody’s making it public or talking about it,” he says.

Wherever you stand on the issues in this election, making your voice heard through voting is important. These students all feel passionately that we as citizens should be utilizing our right to vote. Students can drop off their ballots on Nov 4 and 5 at California State University Stanislaus Curbside.