By Evelyn Lopez
With the upcoming 2024 Presidential election, it is up for debate if the first-time eligible voters at Flagler College will be utilizing their civic right and voting this November. As the election nears, both Flagler professors and students form many thoughts and opinions on whether youth will be casting their ballots this year.
Data collected by CIRCLE (Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement) shows that only 23% of young people voted in the most recent midterm election. This was a slight drop from the 28% that participated in the 2018 midterm.
With many Americans’ losing hope in democracy, this election is causing much anticipation as many feel this event will set off a chain of events for this country and its future in the next four years. It also has many wonder if the numbers will continue to drop or not.
Dr. Rachel Cemona, dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Flagler College, doesn’t believe that many young people will bother voting this election.
“My first time voting was the 2020 presidential election because I received my U.S. citizenship in 2019. It was not the best experience if I’m honest,” Cremona said. “I felt like it was a choice of the least offensive candidate, rather than a positive vote for someone I really wanted. It was a bit like deciding between Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer.”
Cremona said she doesn’t think 2024 is very different because it is looking to be a re-run of 2020 with two older white male candidates who don’t offer much new or refreshing. “(We have) two political parties that seem to still want to divide us rather than unite us. Even 3rd party candidates are playing to the extremes. The only difference is now it’s not clear if either candidate will survive a second term,” Cremona said.
CIRCLE studies show that three in four youth believe they can change the country with their votes. However, less than one in four ends up casting a ballot.
“I think Flagler students will simply be a microcosm of young people more broadly,” Cremona said. “We have politically active students on both sides of the partisan divide that will likely turn out and many who just won’t bother. Some of the most prominent issues in Florida over the past few years – abortion, education and LGBTQ+ rights – affect young people very directly and that often makes for higher turnout.”
Almost 50% of first-time voters say that they are struggling with lack of confidence in relation to voting in elections. Nevertheless, some Flagler students feel the opposite, having very strong opinions about the election.
“I plan and am adamant on voting; I have been preregistered for a while,” said Taiz Caminero, soon to be first time voter and current freshman at Flagler. “I think change can’t be made unless we all do our part.”
“I think we all have a responsibility to contribute to this system that we live in. But of course, all the candidates turn me off. I think that the candidates are just so out of touch with the normal populace that they appeal to very few people, especially my age,” Caminero said.
Some first-time voters here at Flagler also have stronger opinions about the 2024 candidates overall.
John Luther, first time voter and freshman at Flagler, believes that even if youth feel that their vote is insignificant, they should still vote.
“I’m voting because I want my candidate to win, Donald J. Trump,” Luther said.
“The last election was rigged, and I think there’s a good chance this one could be too. I mean there’s a good chance they are going to try to put him in jail, I mean he’s on trial right now,” Luther said.
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