Syracuse students prepare for a contentious Election Day

Halloween may have been Oct. 31, but only a couple of days later, there is something possibly even scarier: Election Day. 

This year’s presidential and local elections are shaping up to be among the most contentious and tight races in recent memory. Issues in this year’s election span farther than the Presidential race, including ballot measures across the nation on topics such as abortion access, LGBTQ+ rights and healthcare. 

That is why we at Orange Pulse asked Syracuse University students this past week to consider their election sentiments before Tuesday’s pivotal night. 

Students are making plans to vote

With 67 SU students surveyed, 91% responded that they planned to vote in this election, five responded that they weren’t going to vote and one was undecided.

Of those who responded that they planned to vote, 78.7% were voting absentee/by mail, while 14.8% planned to vote in person and 6.6% through in person early voting. 

Not only are SU students largely planning to vote in this year’s election, but are doing so by mail in sizable numbers.

Of those who plan to vote a significant portion (72.1%) responded that their vote as a college student was “very important.” Meanwhile, students who weren’t voting or undecided had a much more negative outlook on their vote, with 66.7% thinking their vote would be “not important.”

Naimah Rahman, a senior studying Broadcast and Digital Journalism, is one of those who believes their voice matters in this election. 

“It’s easy to think my vote doesn’t matter [in New York] since it’s a blue state.” Rahman said. “[Regardless], I wanted to make sure I voted in this election because I know as a woman of color and as someone under 30, my vote means something.” 

Another senior, Ciana Steller, is a Communications Design major who feels it is important to understand that, while the electoral college can complicate how much your vote “matters,” it is still important to have your voice count.

 “I think we need to try and move in the right direction, pressure our politicians and work toward a more truly democratic state,” Steller said. 

Sources of information and key issues are widespread

As digitally informed and social media-crazed college students, it should come as no surprise that a significant portion (83.6%) of respondents noted “social media” as a primary source of information surrounding the 2024 election. 

News outlets were the most used primary source of information regarding the election, however, generating 88.5% of respondents. Near the bottom are political campaigns and professors/mentors, garnering just 39.3% and 24.6% of survey respondents respectively. 

In terms of key issues, it was clear that Orange Pulse respondents cared deeply about access to abortion (86.9% listed it as a primary issue) and LGBTQ+ rights (78.7%). Immigration and economy rounded out near the bottom with 54.1% and 57.4%, listing these as primary issues, respectively. 

Rahman shared similar sentiments when asked about key issues facing the 2024 election. 

“I want to ensure my vote gives access to reproduction healthcare across the U.S.,” Rahman said. “A person’s right to their body is their freedom.” 

Tension is in the air ahead of election day

With the 2024 presidential election being so tightly contested it is understandable why Syracuse students feel so apprehensive about the potential results. 

“Overall, I’m feeling very anxious about the election, regardless of the outcome,” Steller said. “We’ve seen in the past the aftermath of this division that echoes in our country, and the harm that comes from people not receiving the results they wanted or expected to have.”

The numbers back up Steller’s sentiments. When asked how much they agree with the statement “I feel anxious about the upcoming Presidential election,” a whopping 83.6% put that they either “agree” or “strongly agree” with the statement. 

Moreover, when asked how much they agree with the statement “I feel optimistic about the upcoming Presidential election,” the majority (42.6%) said that they “disagree,” further showcasing the tension felt on campus leading up to election night.

“I’m trying to remain hopeful but it’s hard when polls are going back and forth every day.” Rahman said. “I don’t think I can ever think about an outcome I don’t want without almost fainting.”

So, if these results show anything, it is that it’s hard to escape the anxiety and tension this election cycle has created, but the majority of SU students still aim to exercise their civic duty. Who said that college students can’t make a difference?