By Nov. 1, more than 23 million voters had cast ballots early to vote for the next president of the United States. Millennial voters are faced with the decision of who they believe will best reform and revamp the economic and social facets of their country.
The first female presidential candidate is favored to win next week, according to polls from ABC News and the Washington Post. Clinton’s chances hinge on the crucial swing states she’s projected to win which include North Carolina, Nevada, Colorado and Virginia, according to the New York Daily News. Plattsburgh State students who are voting for Clinton believe she is the stark opposite of her opponent.
“I’m voting for her because she is not Donald Trump,” senior environmental studies major Dinatalia Farina said.
Farina said she felt she was choosing between the lesser of two evils. Her first choice was Bernie Sanders, but voting for a third-party candidate seemed unwise. Farina said she chose who to vote for by creating a list of pros and cons.
By examining the evidence presented to her, she was able to choose the candidate that best fit her political needs. For example, Farina says the coverage of scandals has dictated this presidential election. By becoming so enveloped in their superficial campaigning, it is easy to overlook Trump’s lack of a plans.
The Trump campaign has included promises to build a wall without any concrete plan to raise funds for its construction. Similarly, Trump has also announced his intent to stop ISIS without revealing a plan. The scandals from both candidates can overshadow their political leanings of course, but, under a microscope, it becomes clear that one candidate is saying anything to get into the White House.
“It is so important for people to exercise the right to vote even if we they don’t completely agree with the candidate,” Farina said.
Farina also said she “couldn’t believe the amount of celebrity endorsements” released. With the combination of social media support and news media outlets, it seemed to Farina like a new celebrity was stepping forward to encourage young voters every day.
In the past few weeks, celebrities coming forward in favor of Clinton include Beyoncé, Adele, Justin Timberlake, Lady GaGa, Ellen DeGeneres and Snoop Dogg. This past week on Conan O’Brien’s talk show, comedian Louis C.K. described the risk of an entertainer endorsing a politician. C.K. mentions an instance last month when angered fans booed and left an Amy Schumer performance because she riffed on her support of Clinton.
“I think celebrities using their respective platforms to talk about issues is cool,” Farina said. “This shows how crucial this election is right now.”
Sophomore journalism major Chelsea Richardson is in agreement with Farina and was most alarmed by the overwhelming amount of scandals released this election.
“Her emails and his pattern of sexual assault are both deeply concerning to me,” Richardson said. “But being an accused sexual predator is worse than her email scandal.”
The whirlwind of controversy surrounding Election Day has not stopped students from being optimistic about what the next candidate can do right.
Protesting climate change and finding a renewable energy was atop of Farina’s mind, who worries these controversies are detracting from productive discussions.
“It’s also important to me that a candidate I choose identify themselves as a feminist. We need equal representation of men, women and the trans-community,” Farina said.
“I’d want to see a change in the gun laws in this country and a candidate who is read to address the nation about the concerns of the Black Lives Matter movement in our country,” Richardson said.
“A total reconstruction of police trainings, having police officers doing community service within the communities they serve, body cameras.”
Regardless of who wins next week’s election, it will certainly make history. Whether Clinton becomes the first woman elected president or Trump becomes the oldest candidate elected to office, the next four years promise to be newsworthy.
Email Taylor Richardson at cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
