Many people see voting as an empowering act to create positive change in their communities and improve their lives. However, some students said they view voting as “pointless.”
Historically, young people — between the ages of 18 and 29 — have the lowest rate for voter registration and election turnout but recent years have seen a shift in that trend. According to a September USA Today article, vote.org said 80% of the voters who registered through vote.org were younger than 35.
Campus organizations such as Black Girls Vote, the NAACP and the Political Science Association have promoted student voter registration and educated students about the voting process. For many of Morgan’s students, the November 2024 election will be their first.
“I’m looking forward to this election because it is my first one,” said Nusi Addae, a junior pre-med biology major. “I feel good because I am able to have an impact not only on my community but the whole country. I simply can’t sit and watch as the country is run into the ground when I have the power to do something about it.”
The 2024 general election will be Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate compete for the White House — a role that will represent the country and make decisions affecting many facets of American life. In addition to the presidency, 33 seats in the senate and 435 of the 468 congressional seats are up for grabs according to Ballot Pedia.
Many Morgan State University students have said that they plan to participate in this election due to concerns about its significance. They feel hopeful, believing that Kamala Harris will positively impact the community.
“I feel like more of her policies help people in the middle [or] lower class. She has more experience in important positions,” said Treau Hunter, a senior computer science major. “She’ll be the first president who is a Black woman. I think that’s important for representation. I don’t agree with any of Trump’s policies and more importantly, some of the things that he says he’ll do scares me.”
Tiyara Jeter, a senior elementary education major, shared that she’s curious to see how candidates accommodate her rights as a citizen.
“I am looking forward to seeing how candidates cater and benefit the LGBTQIA+ community and their rights,” said Jeter.
Malcolm Swayne, a senior multi-platform production major, expressed that despite his initial hesitation about voting, he experienced a change of heart because he believed his voice matters.
“At first I was deciding whether or not I should vote because it’s a lose-lose scenario,” said Swayne. “Now, I chose to vote over opting out because despite my concerns with both candidates, having a say — even if it feels minuscule — is important.”
An organization called Black Liberators Against Colonization an Korruption (BLACK) Underground is a student-led revolutionary organization based at Morgan State University according to its Instagram profile.
The organization first appeared on Morgan’s campus at the beginning of the fall 2023 semester and has held multiple protests and meetings since its appearance. On Oct. 15, Black Underground held a meeting on the topic of “Why We Won’t Vote” at the Earl S. Richardson Library.
The Spokesman requested an interview with Black Underground but the organization declined.
Many students recognize their decision to vote — or not — will impact the country regardless. According to a Pew Research Center report, people between the ages of 18 and 29 were 27% of nonvoters in the 2022 election and Black people were 15% of nonvoters that same year.
“Besides it being a civic duty, I understand every vote [or] number matters,” said Swayne. “I don’t want to be one of those people who complain about their president but never votes or tries to make a difference.”
