First Time Voters are Starting Early, Say There is a Lot at Stake in Election 2020

Election 2020 is just days away and millions of Americans have already casted their vote.

This election holds much weight as it is in the heart of one of the nation’s troubling times; the COVID-19 pandemic and also, civil unrest.

Many students on Temple’s campus are first time voters and they believe it is very important to vote as there are a lot of issues riding on the ballot.

“A lot of people haven’t been able to get stimulus checks-their unemployed, the unemployment rate is through the roof especially as students, we’re struggling as well so it’s really important to-for everyone to get out and vote today,” said Regina Oda, Temple junior.

Temple freshman Wendy Garcia stressed the importance of minority groups.

“I feel it’s important to stress like the protection of black people and other minorities like the LGBTQ community as well as indigenous people and other groups” she said.

This election season will be important especially for swing states. Political Science Professor David Nickerson told Temple Update the significant role Pennsylvania played in the 2016 election and the role it will play this year.

“Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin decided that vote and it was fewer than 100,000 votes and Pennsylvania was about 50,000,” said Nickerson. “So, voters in Pennsylvania should really take the gravity of the situation where they’re going to be the deciding factors for this election.”

Voting this election cycle holds a deeper meaning for some. Freshman Angie Esposito says she fears for her father under the country’s current immigration policies and says even the slightest offenses can pose a threat.

“He’s driving and he’s so scared to speed even a little because if he gets pulled over than what?” said Esposito. “Like he has a green card, but it just doesn’t feel like enough.”

Although many are eager to vote, some may feel the current candidates do not match up to what they need in leaders. Garcia says it is almost like choosing between the lesser of the two evils.

“On the one hand, they have a lot of experience in politics and the government but on the other hand they don’t have the cleanest record when it comes to certain things especially with minorities,” Garcia said.

Whether you choose to vote or not, political science Professor Michael Hagen reminds us of the duty voting has on American citizens.

“It’s a responsibility that we have to accept as citizens in a democracy to inform ourselves and express ourselves.”

If you have not voted and would still like to do so, you can drop your ballot at your county election office or visit a satellite election office in Philadelphia. Visit templeupdate.com/vote for more voting resources.