San José State students geared up for Election Day at 7th Street on Tuesday.
Every four years, U.S. citizens exercise their right to vote for a presidential and vice presidential candidate as well as local officials, according to a Oct. 2, USA Gov web page.
Michelle Ronolo, fourth-year political science student, participated with SJSU Votes and handed out informational flyers to give students information about how to cast their ballot.
SJSU Votes is a nonpartisan campus organization that aims to educate students on voting and provide them voting resources, such as access to information about candidates or helping them register, according to the SJSU Votes web page.
“I’ve seen so many mixed emotions, a lot of them are passionate, a lot of them are excited and scared,” Ronolo said.
Citizens across the United States are feeling stressed about the election results and the possible violence that might break out regardless of which candidate wins, according to an Oct. 29, American Psychological Association article.
“It’s a mix,” Ronolo said. “I don’t know how the turnout is going to be and how people are going to react.”
Alicia White, a political-science third year, was engaging with students and encouraging them to vote.
“I’ve been having a lot of people come to ask questions,” White said. “A lot of people are kind of standoffish but a lot of people are very excited about the election.”
Mary Currin-Percival, an associate political science professor at SJSU, was tabling with SJSU Votes.
“Some students are a little apprehensive about the election and they have some concern about the rhetoric,” Currin-Percival said. “For most of them, it's the first time they’re participating in a presidential election, so they’re really excited to participate.”
Roughly 41 million of the Generation Z population will be eligible to vote in the 2024 Presidential Election, according to an Oct. 18, Tufts University article.
“It’s been a semester-long process, encouraging people to vote, the importance of getting people registered early,” Currin-Percival said.
The total voter registration in California increased by about 2% from 2020 for the 2024 General Election, according to the CA gov report.
“People have a lot of questions about how to vote, when’s the last day,” Ronolo said. “We’re able to give them information about where to register, which days are more important, information on websites, where to go, ballot places near where they live and also on campus.”
White voted in the 2020 presidential election but is unsure how this election will look like.
“They’ve always said it’s like make or break for democracy but I don’t know if this election is going to be like that,” White said.
Professor Currin-Percival is excited to exercise her right to vote and see the election results.
“I’m a little apprehensive about people's reactions to the results, especially if it’s a close election,” Currin-Percival said. “I’m optimistic and I have a lot of faith in the American people, so I’ll be watching it tonight with friends and family and see what happens.”
Election results are expected to come down to seven swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona and Nevada, according to a Tuesday BBC article.
Swing states are states where the race between candidates is very close, meaning it can be swayed one way or the other between the main two parties, according to a Nov. 5, NPR article.
“There are a lot of issues that are really important to (students), especially the economy,” Currin-Percival said. “So they’re really excited to have their say, especially in the presidential election.”
The presidential election will allow roughly 8.8 million Generation Z Latinos, 5.7 million African Americans, 1.7 million Asian Americans and 1.8 multiracial youth to vote, according to the same Oct. 18, Tufts University article.
Ronolo is anxious to see the election results.
“This is going to be a close race and I’m nervous but at the same time excited to be able to participate,” Ronolo said.
