Listen HereUniversity of Findlay students who did not elect to participate in this year’s presidential election give their reasoning for lack of voting
By Nolan O’Connell
The year of pandemic, rioting, wildfires, and unexpected deaths is winding down with a pivotal presidential election in the United States of America. On Nov. 3, voters will decide if either Democratic candidate Joe Biden, or Republican candidate and current president Donald Trump will be placed in the oval office at the White House.
Around the University of Findlay campus, some young voters prepare to vote for their very first time. In fact, according to research done by the Knight Foundation, approximately 71% of college students are “absolutely certain” that they will vote in the 2020 presidential election.
Though much of the younger generation is becoming more politically active this election year, there are still a few students who say they are not voting in this year’s election. There can be several reasons people might choose to not vote, according to globalcitizen.org. Legal reasons, candidates not representing certain views, and even the inconvenience of Election Day being on a Tuesday can keep people from voting
Jacob Wilson, a sophomore business major at Findlay and Florida resident, has a unique situation when it comes to this year’s voting.
“I actually did plan on voting,” Wilson said. “I’m just not registered to vote in Ohio.”
Wilson is registered to vote in Florida; however, he did not get the chance to request an absentee ballot from his home county since he has been at the university here. Results from the Knight Foundation study show that over half of college students are planning to vote by mail this year.
“I will vote in the future,” Wilson said. “I think by then the election will actually have an impact on me since I’ll have a job.”
Wilson has high hopes for his peer’s participation, saying he expects up to 75% of college students nationwide to vote. He holds strong opinions on politics in the United States however, calling them “a joke.”
“It’s just embarrassing honestly so I don’t mind not voting this year,” Wilson exclaimed. “The presidential debates are like watching toddlers fight over toys.”
Anthony Negron, a sophomore art major at UF, is also not voting in this year’s election due to the candidates in the running.
“This year’s candidates are both terrible,” Negron said. “I might vote in the future if we ever get candidates that aren’t corrupt or morally wrong.”
He also voiced his disgust for politics in general.
“Lots of things divide America’s people, and politics only drive the divide deeper,” Negron said.
Negron says that even if he did vote, he does not believe his voice would be heard.
“Unless you are a massive corporation or a celebrity with a lot of money, the government does not care what you have to say,” Negron said.
Sophomore business major Calvin Muller is also not voting in this year’s election due to the candidates.
“I don’t want to feel responsible for either one being president,” Muller said.
Muller claims in the future he is willing to vote as long as there is a candidate who reflects his values.
“I’d like to support someone who is mostly bipartisan,” Muller added.
The Knight Foundation study shows that college students are lacking confidence in the credibility of the election process, as “a full 81% say special interest groups have more influence over election outcomes than voters.” Not to mention, half of students think that long lines, broken voting machines, and issues at polling places in general will compromise fairness of the election.
