This election cycle was the first time that many San Diego State University students were eligible to vote. Even though California in recent decades has historically been a blue state through and through, many conflicts surfaced this year among voting decisions.

“I guess I kind of expected most of California to be on the same page; there is a fair amount of red so that was interesting,” SDSU junior Lindsay Felipa said.

“I felt that it was important to vote this year just because I think that this election felt really pivotal in terms of the history of our country,” SDSU senior Mollie Levy said.

Divided nation votes on national and local level

The 2024 presidential election was arguably the most divided election to date. 

With Kamala Harris entering the race just over 100 days before Election Day and Donald Trump’s indictment earlier this year, students realized this and took advantage of the opportunity to have their voices heard.

“I think the mindset of ‘my vote doesn’t matter because it’s just one’ is potentially very harmful, especially in local elections where there are often slim margins of victory,” SDSU sophomore Polly Hill said.

“It is important to vote because it is a privilege that many other countries do not have,” SDSU junior Zachary Tone said. “It is also easy, so I wanted to do it even though I knew what the outcome was going to be.”

Several female students felt that it was even more important to participate in this election considering the policies Donald Trump promised with Project 2025. Discussions over whether or not lowering taxes was more important than other social issues definitely had a seat at the table.

“I felt like I wanted to stand up for my own rights and I would feel bad if I didn’t take a step to try to protect myself and others around me, so that is why I voted,” Felipa said.

“I know a lot of people voted for Trump because of ‘the economy’ but I’ve yet to hear of any well-credited economist that supports his plans for the economy, so I’m not too hopeful in that respect either,” Hill said.

Moving forward after the votes have been tabulated

Though there is a lot of discontent across campus with the results of the election, students have learned that taking a deep breath and pushing through is the best course of action.

“However, while I am deeply unhappy, I accept the results because rejecting them only fuels division,” SDSU senior Mia Martinez said. “Instead, we need to channel our emotions into action— educating ourselves and others, organizing for political change, and preparing for the challenges ahead.”

“Although the months leading up to the election were chaotic, I think both parties handled the result well,” SDSU senior Liam McCarty said. “I’m hopeful for a peaceful transition of power and for a focus on unity moving forward.”

As the political landscape becomes more polarized, it is ultimately up to Gen Z to take on a larger role in facilitating the objectives of local initiatives and grassroots movements. Perhaps emphasizing a greater importance of community is what will bring California back to a whole.

“If Donald Trump implements all the policies he has said, the country is likely to become increasingly divided, with marginalized communities bearing the brunt of these changes,” Martinez said. “By building strong local networks of mutual aid and resources within our communities, we can provide support and hope.”

“Respect and understanding are crucial for moving forward together,” McCarty added.

(Top photo credit: Pixabay.com)