CSU students share thoughts and feelings about the upcoming election – The Rocky Mountain Collegian

The election for President and Vice President of the United States is fast approaching and vying for everyone’s attention. Recent NBC polls have shown Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump neck-and-neck.

With four weeks until election day, voters are being bombarded with information from left and right. Colorado State University’s themed Year of Democracy encourages students to become civically engaged. CSU students have different thoughts and feelings about the upcoming election and have a wealth of information from the university to draw on.

Corah Clemmer, a first-year business administration student, spoke about feeling ready to vote but wanting better options.

“I just feel like this election – like the last two – has been more about just two candidates spending their time remembering everything the other has done wrong in the past, rather than being transparent “It’s about politics and how you can make up for mistakes,” said Clemmer. “It’s gotten to the point where everyone has ‘concepts of a plan’ and never knows where they stand on any issue or what the plan is for the betterment of our country.”

Some students expressed concern, fear and disappointment.

“I am really worried and angry about what our country’s politics has achieved,” said Gigi Bergh, a journalism student at CSU.

The gap between political parties has only grown larger in recent years. A 2020 Pew Research Center report highlighted the divide between Republicans and Democrats.

“What is unique about this moment – ​​and particularly acute in America – is that these divisions have collapsed onto a single axis on which we find no support for a common cause or a collective national identity,” the report said.

Students have felt this divide, perhaps more recently with the federal candidate debates and the frequent use of social media by each campaign — and its supporters.

Agricultural science student William James noted this divide, saying he was “constantly disappointed by the left and afraid of the right.”

There are a variety of policies and practices that are discussed and debated, particularly in the context of the election results. However, there are concerns raised by those unable to contribute to the outcome of the election, such as senior social work student Antonella Torres Peralta.

“As an immigrant, I’m very afraid, but I can’t vote,” Torres Peralta said. “I feel like everything affects me, but I have no say. I have no say in what happens to me.”

Concern and concern are not limited to CSU or other universities; High school students also feel strong emotions.

Chalkbeat, a nonprofit education news organization, partnered with The New York Times to survey teenagers about their thoughts and feelings about the election.

“Most participants expect the election to have a large or moderate impact on their lives,” Chalkbeat’s report said.

With the election not too far away and ballots being mailed from Colorado, it is up to Fort Collins and the people of the United States to make their voices heard.

Reach Aubree Miller at [email protected] or on Twitter @aubreem07.