MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – A few Northern Michigan University students expressed their thoughts to WZMQ 19 on the upcoming midterms Wednesday afternoon.
For some Wildcats, its their first chance to fill out an electoral ballot. For others, its a chance to get their voice back out there.
Currently, college students around Michigan are ready to fill out one of the busiest ballots in years. With options of a governor candidate, new Secretary of State, and multiple district seats, many NMU students say the U.S. Senate race between Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers are sparking the most interest.
“I have been following the senate election a lot more heavily than the governor or anything local,” said Senior Environmental Science and Chemistry Major, Alivia Scherer. “I know campus has been involved with that race with watch parties for the debates as well.”
“I definitely think this senate race is a lot more mainstream than the previous senate race,” said Junior Political Science Major, Isaiah Pacis. “I know plenty of students who are also focusing on races that are not even in their districts because of how big everything is.”
For these students, the right to vote is something that no one should take for granted.
“Voting is a privledge that American citizens have, not everyone in the world does,” said Scherer.
“I know there are a lot of people who say they aren’t into politics, but politics are into you,” said Pacis. “No matter what, politics are going to interfere with your life, whether that be gas prices, healthcare prices, housing.”
The busy election season has certainly picked up a wave of popularity for younger voters.. something that could serve as a pivital role in a final turnout.
“I’m hoping for record youth voter turnout, especially after the 2024 presidential election where so many people didn’t vote” said Freshman Political Science Major, Emily Connor. “I’m hoping that this election, so many more people are getting involved, and the people we elect are working for us overall.”
Most of these students also say while being far from home, mail-in voting will be especially helpful to make those decisions count.
