AU students discuss their votes
Ninth grader Jeffrey Fraizer and his grandmother, Susan Fraizer, support Trump during the 2020 election. (photo by Haley Knight)
By Madeline Burgin |
Staff writer
Augusta University students discuss who they voted for in the 2020 general election and why.
Name: Sebastian Rodriguez
Major: Chemistry
Year: Sophomore
Are you voting? Why?
I am voting. Yes. I’m in some ways discomforted or displeased about certain policies in our nation. I feel like [voting is] in my self-interest and the interest of others to vote.
Are you a first-time voter? Are you excited to vote?
Yes. I am a bit nervous but excited.
Who are you voting for? Why?
For president, I am voting for Joe Biden and for senate, I am voting for Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff for the two senate seats.
Anything you would like to add about this election. Do you think it’s important?
It’s a very important election and I also think it’s a very unique one in that we haven’t been deceived in the ways we’ve been deceived in this election [compared to] previous years. The spread of misinformation has become cancerous almost. A large portion of the population is going to vote for people for reasons that aren’t actually true and that goes for all candidates really. I feel like how this election goes will play a large role in determining whether or not that misinformation becomes ingrained into our political culture.
Who do you think will win?
For the presidency, I think Biden will win.
(photo by Madeline Burgin)
Name: Piper Wright
Major: Pre-Nursing
Year: Freshman
Are you voting? Why?
Yes. Even if you really don’t know who to vote for, I think voting is still what you should do, because…especially as a woman. You learn in history that all these women were fighting for their right to vote. I feel like it’s a citizen’s duty to use that right, even if you don’t know who to vote for, I still think it’s important to vote.
Are you a first-time voter?
No, I voted earlier this year too.
Who are you voting for? Why?
I voted for Donald Trump. It was a really hard decision. I think that this election, especially, it’s kind of like choose the one least bad. So, I did my research and just went for it.
Anything you would like to add about this election? Do you think it’s important?
Yeah, I think it’s really important. I think it’s a hard decision this year. I think it’s our right to vote and that it’s important to vote even if we don’t necessarily have a clear choice.
Who do you think is going to win?
Oh, gosh, I have no idea.
(photo by Madeline Burgin)
Name: Taryn Lykes
Major: Cellular & Molecular Biology
Year: Junior
Are you voting? Why?
I am. I believe that my vote is important even though it goes with a lot of other people’s vote. So, I feel like voting is way for other people’s to be heard. So, that’s my whole reason for voting… to impact change. Unfortunately, with me being in college, it’s hard for me to go home and vote. So, I submitted an absentee ballot.
Are you a first-time voter?
I am not. This is my first time voting in the [presidential election] though.
Who are you voting for? Why?
I’m not really a Trump supporter. I don’t want to say anything bad, but I felt like Biden was the better candidate.
Anything you would like to add about this election? Do you think it’s important?
I think it’s very important for people to vote in. I think people have definitely got that message a lot, because I think this election is [highly] advertised. They’re really trying to get people out there and vote. So, I feel like it is an important election. I feel like it will be an interesting election. I’m curious to see how it all unravels.
Who do you think is going to win?
I’m hoping Biden based off other’s people’s predictions.
Name: Taylor Thurmond
Major: Nursing
Year: Sophomore
Are you voting? Why?
Yes, I’m voting, because I have certain policies that I want to support, and I want the country to go in a certain direction.
Are you a first-time voter?
Presidential yes. I usually vote in the local elections.
Who are voting for? Why?
I’m voting for Donald Trump, because he aligns with my policy positions and my morals and values. I voted for David Perdue and Doug Collins for senate.
Who do you think is going to win?
I hope Donald Trump. I wouldn’t be surprised if it went either way.
(photo by Madeline Burgin)
Name: Sheileja Lalani
Major: Psychology
Year: Sophomore
Why aren’t you voting?
I moved from India, approximately 15 years back. I have a green card, but I don’t have citizenship yet, but hopefully soon! Of course, I [want] to be a citizen, because living in this country for such a long time I see this country as my own and a part of me is American and a part of me is Indian. So, I do relate to this country and I do care about a lot of issues going on and I would at some point someday would like to have a say in who’s going to be running this country, because I wish the best for this country and the people.
Do you think it’s important that people vote in this upcoming election?
Definitely! Every single vote counts, whether it be small or big and a lot of people think that there are a lot of people voting and their one vote is not really going to make a difference, but every vote does makes a difference and you should have a say in who you’re electing and who’s going to be running your country. It’s very important that you have a say in it.
Do you think that this is an important election?
Of course, it is. We are debating between the former vice president and the current president. They’re going to be running the country. They’re going to be calling the shots. Of course, it’s important on what kind of person, what kind of president you would you like. Would you like someone who respects the people of America? Would you like someone who respects all the cultures, races? Someone who’s honest or someone who isn’t?
Contact Madeline Burgin at MBURGIN@augusta.edu.
