Why Voting Matters for Students
Voting is one of the most powerful ways students can make their voices heard. Many decisions made at the local, state, and federal levels directly impact students’ daily lives and long-term futures. Policies on tuition rates, campus funding, minimum wage, and healthcare are debated and decided by elected officials. Voting gives students the opportunity to influence these decisions and advocate for their own interests.
Moreover, many students face mounting challenges when it comes to student debt and post-graduation job prospects. Leaders elected in November will determine how much support students receive in alleviating their financial burdens or finding economic opportunities. Key issues impacting students include economic reform, minimum wage, healthcare, and climate policy. Therefore, by voting, students can take control of their futures. Voting gives them a direct say in the policies that shape their education and the broader society in which they live.
As students consider their options for November’s elections, it’s important to take a close look at the candidates and their platforms, particularly on issues that affect students directly. The two major candidates in the 2024 presidential election are Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump.
Kamala Harris has outlined key policies that prioritize climate change action, healthcare expansion, student debt relief, and education funding. She has also emphasized the need to address racial and social inequalities.
Donald Trump’s campaign has focused on reducing taxes, deregulating industries, and promoting energy independence. His economic policies lean toward reducing government intervention in the marketplace and focusing on free-market solutions to create jobs.
Comparing the candidates on student issues, Trump has prioritized energy independence through increased use of fossil fuels and reducing environmental regulations. Harris has been vocal about the need for bold action to mitigate climate risks.
Harris has committed to improving funding for colleges and universities, making college more affordable, and expanding access to Pell Grants. In contrast, Trump’s administration historically favored cuts to federal education programs and focused on school choice policies.
On economic opportunities, Trump emphasizes deregulation and tax cuts as the path to job creation, while Harris focuses on investing in clean energy jobs and increasing the minimum wage.
In today’s polarized media landscape, it’s more important than ever for students to find reliable and unbiased information about candidates and policies. It’s easy to fall into the trap of consuming news from outlets that only reinforce pre-existing beliefs.
Getting news from an unbiased source is key to understanding events without the filter of political or corporate agendas. Outlets like NPR focus on delivering balanced reporting, presenting facts clearly, and offering diverse perspectives. This allows people to form their own opinions based on well-rounded information rather than slanted viewpoints.
Cross-checking policy facts between different news sources is also critical to ensuring the information is accurate. Students should remain vigilant about the sources they trust and avoid media outlets that use sensationalism or bias to sway public opinion.
Voting empowers students to shape the policies that will affect their education and future careers. By staying informed and participating in elections, students can make a significant impact on issues that matter to them most.