There’s an important election coming up: Here’s what YCP students say about it

By The Spartan staff

ELECTION DAY is Nov. 8.

While not a presidential year, there are some major races for governor and Congress, including in Pennsylvania. A number of questions are on the ballot that will significantly affect for the foreseeable future the lives of those in many states.

What happens Nov. 8 will affect the direction of the country, affecting the economy and what we can afford, and influencing the laws that shape our society as they relate to hot-button issues such as abortion, student debt, guns and immigration.

Members of the staff were asked this week to find two students and ask these questions:

A, Are you registered to vote?

B, Are you planning to vote and have you followed news stories out of the area where you are registered to vote?

C, Is there a particular race or ballot question that interests you and why?

D, Are there a couple of issues that most interest you personally?

Here are the answers they brought back:

Kayla Smakal is a sophomore majoring in Criminal Justice. “Yes, I am registered to vote but I am not planning to vote, because I’m from New York,” she said. “And since I go to school in Pennsylvania I can’t go home and vote at my local polling place. I haven’t voted in any type of election since I have been registered to vote, so there is nothing in particular regarding a race or ballot question that interests me. One issue that interests me the most would probably be education since I am a college student. I feel education is an important issue that should be discussed more often.”

Meaghan Kincaid is sophomore majoring in finance: “Yes, I am registered to vote and I plan on voting. I don’t really get too involved with politics because everything is so negative nowadays so nothing really interests me. And I don’t follow the news frequently, which I need to start doing, so I don’t know any issues.”

– Abigail Balderson

Emily Newton, a senior majoring in Political Science, is registered to vote. “I am planning to vote and have followed news stories. The governor’s race has interested me the most,” she said, adding that two key issues in her mind are women’s rights and climate change.”

Megan Hinds, a senior majoring in Human Services, is also registered to vote. ”I have read various news stories about political figures in the Pennsylvania area,” she said, noting that she is interested in the governor’s race and what each of the candidates has to offer. “Abortion is a big concern to me because if a candidate is pro-life, abortion would become illegal in the state of Pennsylvania,” she said.

– Julian Leon

Colman Ermi is a junior majoring in Criminology. He is registered to vote in New Jersey and this is his first year being able to vote. “Following stories back home in New Jersey is hard while I’m here at York; usually I just pay attention to the bigger elections like the presidential election.” There were a few big issues that were relevant for Ermi. “The economy was big for me; I would love to see it go back to the way it used to be in previous years. Another thing that I find important is how they’ll use our military, things like who they’ll work with and who they won’t.”

Lisbeth Vivar is a senior majoring in Criminology. She is registered to vote in Pennsylvania and plans to vote in the upcoming elections. She did say that she hasn’t followed too many local issues since it’s hard to really keep up while she’s at school. A major issue that concerns Vivar is immigration. “DACA students are children who were immigrants at a very young age but don’t have a status regarding their citizenship.” Vivar said. She emphasized that she thinks it’s important that someone protects these people who are waiting to receive their citizenship. Another issue that is important to many people right now is abortion. “Abortion is a huge issue, I feel like if I don’t want to have a child, I shouldn’t be forced,” she said. This has become a big issue nationwide.

– Lee Kling

Melchi Barbler is a sophomore majoring in Sports Management. He said that he is registered to vote but unsure whether he will. “I haven’t looked into it yet,” he said. As for a particular interest in a candidate or ballot question, he said that he didn’t know any candidates or what they want to do. ”So I couldn’t answer that,” he said. Regarding key issues, he said, “The community is chillin, i don’t think anything needs to change.”

Brianna Dixon is a sophomore majoring in Psychology. She said she is registered to vote but isn’t sure whether she will. “I might just because,” she said. “I don’t even really know who’s running, so I can’t really answer” about specific issues or candidates. “I think the only thing that Pennsylvania needs to fix is its cleanliness. York is too dirty,” she said.

– Kai O’Brien

Kevin Tanzosh, Class of 2023, is planning to vote as a registered independent. “I look at things like infrastructure and environmental issues on who to decide for,” he said. “However, I still look at every issue and I think this is one of the more important elections of my lifetime.”

Jen Taylor, Class of 2025, is not registered to vote. “However, I am still following the election closely,” she said. “I want Fetterman to win [the U.S. Senate race in Pa.] but I know it will be close. I’m hoping he keeps his promises on lowering taxes for the middle class.”

– Chris Hulsart

Lia Finnedies, a sophomore psychology major is a student on campus who is not registered to vote. Despite not being a citizen, therefore not being able to vote, Finnedies is still able to follow up with news stories around her area.  ”I guess since now, like now, that abortion is statewide, I’d like to see a governor make it more accessible, cause it’s up to them now.” 

Immigration is also a topic she would like to see addressed. “Women’s rights in general. And also the rights of, um, any marginalized group. African Americans specifically.” 

Michael Etzel is another student who was interviewed. He is a junior computer science major who is registered to vote. 

“I at least plan to vote,” he said. “I sort of follow some.” This was in regards to stories that have relation to public issues. 

“There is not too much I’m following specifically,” he said. “I know the abortion stuff is a hot topic, so that’s something I would look at, but other than that, there’s not too much stuff I would keep up with.” 

Etzel admitted to not being very political and couldn’t offer further commentary. 

– Oliver Grey

Chase Shelton is a sophomore majoring in Marketing. He is not registered and therefore is not planning to vote. Does he follow what is going on politically? “No because I do not follow the candidates and the news very often,” he said, adding that “abortion and gun control are what issues I am most interested in.”

Jeremy Hadler is a sophomore majoring in Sport Media. While registered to vote, he does not plan on voting. “I haven’t paid much attention to news stories,” he said. Nor does he follow politics closely enough to give an answer about specific candidates or issues, he said.