Feature Photo: The quad at Northeastern University (Ariana Mohamed/NEHSJC)
In the upcoming presidential election, many voters will cast their ballots for the first time, but are deterred by the strong opinions of the two candidates.
According to the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office, there have been 175,847 newly registered voters compared to last year. At Northeastern University, young voters shared their thoughts on this year’s election.
Another student added, Siddakk Chatrah, “I think also as a person of color and as a child of immigrants, the overall climate was very different in those times as well.”
Chatrah said there were a lot of “shifts that I saw growing up that were harmful.”
He said that is what is motivating him to vote and get more involved in civil service as a citizen. For Henry Madden, 19, of Roxbury, voting is his responsibility.
At MassINC Polling Group, a company that gathers public opinion from various polls, Senior Research Director Rich Parr said he thinks many young people will not be voting in this year’s election because of the two candidates who are running for president.
“Sometimes, you need to make the choice that's the best for you, based on the options even if you're not thrilled with both of the options that you're being presented with,” Parr said.
In his 11 years at MassINC Polling Group, Parr has seen how data has changed throughout the years.
“A lot of polls have also been showing that Biden is getting less of a share of young voters than maybe you might typically see for [a] Democrat,” Parr said.
However, he stressed that all young voters should go to the polls to weigh in on what they think is best for them and the country.
“You still should vote even if you're not thrilled with the candidates,” he said. “But sometimes, you need to make the choice.”