Tuesday will be a critical day in the U.S. The candidates in this year’s presidential election, most notably Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris, are people with very different views of the economy, environment, education and so much more.
For some voters, it is more than just a choice between parties, it is a choice that will decide the direction of the country for the years ahead.
The Journal interviewed four seniors who will cast their ballot for the first time to find out whom they are voting for and why.
Marco Escoto-Dominguez
For senior Marco Escoto-Dominguez, one of his biggest concerns is the current polarization happening in America right now.
“I believe that after the election, depending on who wins, that America will continue to become more polarized,” Escoto-Dominguez said. “People will continue to be divided and will still fight over politics like we do today.”
Escoto-Dominguez also believes that the Democrats have more strategies to improve the nation. He feels that they are more focused on issues like healthcare, climate change and education. But that’s not all he likes about the Democrats in this election.
“Another reason is just the positivity, the hope that the Democrats have compared to the Republicans where (Republicans) are just all about trashing the other side and criticizing them,” Escoto-Dominguez said.
Another reason as to why Escoto-Dominguez plans to vote for Harris is because of current and future immigration plans. He explained that immigration is an issue close to him because of his family’s background.
“My family were immigrants, and my parents are immigrants, and I worry about what Trump would do if he were to be president again,” Escoto-Dominguez said.
Due to matters like these, Escoto-Dominguez believes that Trump’s taking back the office would not be ideal for immigration policies.
Sydney Hartman
Senior Sydney Hartman believes that one of the most important issues this election is the economy, especially for her future.
“Obviously, college is gonna put me in some debt,” Hartman said. “I don’t want to be struggling to get out of it with a bad economy as well, like major house debt (and)
struggling to get food for groceries.”
When Trump was in office, she believes the economy was better than it is now and that people her age could buy the things they needed to.“I don’t want to have to be paying $100 a week when I am in college to buy groceries,” Hartman said.
While she cares about the current state of the economy, she also cares about the future. She feels that if circumstances remain the same, people won’t be able to make big purchases anymore. “I want to be able to afford a house and stuff when I am able to buy a house,” Hartman said.Another issue that Hartman cares about this election is abortion. Hartman has strong anti-abortion feelings because of her faith.
Some, including Hartman, believe that, at a recent rally that Harris held, a person in the audience shouted “Jesus is Lord” and Harris responded to this by saying that they were at the wrong rally.
“She made fun of the Christian faith, and so that just rubbed me the wrong way,” Hartman said.
Due to remarks like these, Hartman says she believes her religious values do not align with Harris’ policies.
Although Hartman believes neither Harris nor Trump are strong candidates, she believes that Trump is the better candidate.
Fletcher Wisdom
Senior Fletcher Wisdom plans on voting for Harris for a few different reasons, one of them being the way the economy is currently running.
“The economy is really important,” Wisdom said. “I drive. The gas prices are crazy sometimes. I spent $4 a gallon one time.”
Even though some question what a Trump or Harris economy might look like, Wisdom has his own prediction depending on who gets into office.
“I think if we were to get Donald Trump, we should expect another 2020-to-2024 type of economy,” Wisdom said. “Donald Trump set that economy up and Biden has been fixing it.”
Wisdom cares about the economy for a few different reasons, but one of those reasons is because of what happened to him and his family when he was younger.
“When I was really young, the whole housing crisis made us lose our house,” Wisdom said.
Because of this, he hopes that Harris has a plan to lower housing costs.
Alongside the economy, Wisdom also thinks that abortion is an important topic.
Wisdom thinks that Roe v. Wade should be brought back. He believes that everyone needs to have total freedom, which includes abortion and the rights of everyone should be their first thought.
“Cutting off that type (of)healthcare to women is infringeable freedom,” Wisdom said.
Van Chin
While many voters know by now who they are voting for, senior Van Chin is still undecided.
“I am leaning towards the left,” Chin said. “But I don’t know. There are just some issues that I feel like Kamala doesn’t really elaborate on.”
Chin explained that one of the main reasons she is undecided is because the media has swung her views around. She says that after seeing many interviews and debate
clips of Harris, she has changed her view on her because she feels as though Harris doesn’t address anything policy-related. She thinks Trump is more fitting in that circumstance.
Chin feels abortion is a prominent issue because as a woman, she cares about the laws being made that could affect her body. Alongside abortion, the economy is also an important topic to her.
“It’s money. We are all affected by money, and money is everywhere,” Chin said. “What we do, what we’re motivated by is money.”
While both Trump and Harris have given their plans on what they are going to do about abortion rights, neither of them have given their full plan on what they are going to do with the economy. Regardless Chin recognizes that a decision has to be made.
“I feel like everyone should just come to a compromise that the president is doing their best to serve all Americans,” Chin said, “even if they are not interested in them.”
To view the Journal’s election poll and read about the presidential candidates’ views, click this link.
The Journal Election Poll Results
