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For Young Voters, the US Presidential Election Comes Down to Issues

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Patricia Katri/Contributing Writer

The U.S. presidential election, to be held Tuesday, Nov. 8, is being called historic by the national press, which notes that Donald Trump is exhibiting the worst Republican showing among voters under 35 in American history.

A survey by USA TODAY/Rock, released on Aug. 14, shows Hillary Clinton beating Trump by a 56 percent-20 percent margin among young voters.

If this trend continues, USA TODAY notes, the Democratic Party could have its third consecutive U.S. presidential double-digit victory since 1952. This could result in a preference for Democratic candidates for years to come.

Strong differences in terms of background and opinions on crucial issues could explain this disparity. Clinton, who has been a fixture on the political scene since the 1990s, held office as senator for New York for eight years and was then secretary of state in the Obama administration, while Trump has not held public office.  

Clinton’s level of experience seems to resonate among young voters.

“I will be voting, for the first time, for Hillary Clinton,” said senior Emily Mola.  “I believe she is the most qualified candidate for this position … with a background in law and politics, I believe [Clinton] will be able to lead the nation with a more focused vision.”

Other young voters, however, find the fact that Trumps hails from outside the Beltway appealing.  This view is reflected by the hashtag adopted by young Trump supporters, #NeverHillary.

Emphasis on varying issues also accounts for different preferences for president.

According to website InsideGov, Clinton can be identified as a moderate liberal, while Trump calls himself a moderate conservative.  In terms of ideology, the same site points out the candidates disagree on most crucial issues.

Clinton believes abortion is a woman’s unrestricted right, the principles that guide affirmative action, and is comfortable with same-sex marriage.  Trump disagrees with Clinton on these topics. In addition, Trump believes God should be kept in the public sphere and that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations are too restrictive, while Clinton does not support these views.

“As a college student, and, hopefully, future law student, the issue that is most important to me at the moment is education,” Mola said.  “I agree with Hillary Clinton’s platform on education because as college costs continue to rise, the need to take out loans in the future is also increasing.”

“It is imperative for me to know that I will not end up in debt at the end of my education.  [Clinton’s] plans on making college more affordable for low-income students and ensuring that interest rates stay low on loans are some of the reasons why I support her stand on education.”

Mola also cites Clinton’s commitment to reducing the gender wage gap as a reason for her support for the Democratic nominee.

Young Trump supporters, on the other hand, seem more concerned about the economy, national security, and immigration.  

At a Trump rally in Youngstown, Ohio, notes the website BuzzFeed, young voters held up placards stating that their greatest concerns revolved around “[the] need [for fewer] illegal aliens,” “nukes, North Korea and Iran,” “ISIS and the expansion of radical Islam,” national security, illegal immigration, trade, and jobs.

Some young political observers, including those who are not U.S. citizens and will not vote this upcoming election, do not agree with Trump’s approach.

Junior Tomas Calderon, who cites foreign policy, taxation, the economy, and immigration as the most important issues this upcoming election, said he agrees with nearly all of Clinton’s policy positions.

“[Clinton] is extremely well qualified,” Calderon said.

However, some Panthers do not find either candidate politically compelling.

“Neither candidate has the potential to lay the foundation for the strongest economy in the world,” said senior Antoine Parrant.

Disappointment with both candidates is voiced by both young Democrats and Republicans.

Despite Clinton’s double-digit lead over Trump among voters under 35, USA TODAY notes she still lags behind former potential Democratic nominee Bernie Sanders among these same voters.

According to an article published by the Associated Press on July 12, headlined “Poll Shows Hillary Clinton is Struggling to Convince Young Voters,” 18 to 30-year-old African- and Asian-Americans tend to have a favorable view of Clinton, while whites and Hispanics are weary of the former secretary of state. According to the AP article, only 26 percent of young whites and 49 percent of Hispanics have a favorable opinion of Clinton.

According to Decode DC, these same supporters understand that they contradict most Millennials’ endorsement of the Democratic nominee, but question whether young voters will impact the election.

Some young Republican voters express similar disappointment for Trump. An Aug. 15 article on website Decode DC stated, “supporting Trump simply comes down to picking the lesser of what they consider to be two evils.”

“[Whether] young voters turn out in droves for Trump or not, [millennials] still think Trump has a solid chance,” the website explained.

 


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