6 Policy Areas That Should Make College Students Want To Vote | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Community

6 Policy Areas That Should Make College Students Want To Vote

College students are an untapped demographic of voters with the most potential to make an impact in the 2020 election. Here are 6 policy areas that should get college students to turn out on Election Day.

47
6 Policy Areas That Should Make College Students Want To Vote

Millennials and Gen-Z will be the largest share of eligible voters in 2020. This means that this generation will have the biggest impact of any demographic on the 2020 Presidential Election. Voter turnout amongst this group is surging, yet because of low overall rates, millennials and Gen-Z voters have not been the largest share of the electorate previously.

College students are not as likely to vote as other demographics. This is because the group is less targeted in marketing for elections. Elected officials assume young voters are apathetic towards issues and, in turn, young voters are less likely to turn out to vote because no one is appealing to their interests.

This election has some hot-button topics on the table that will heavily affect college-age students. If this demographic become educated on these issues and votes accordingly, the impact will be huge. Here are six topics that should make college students want to vote.

1. Climate Change

It's no secret that college-age people are afraid of the impending threat of climate change. We are the generation that is going to be impacted by the projection that climate change will reach global strife in 30 years. With only 12 years left to take action to limit climate change, America needs to start taking climate change policy seriously. In this upcoming election, we need to analyze candidates' environmental plans and take this into account when picking a candidate.

Here is a link that tracks each candidate's environmental plan.

Here is a link that grades each democratic candidate's environmental plan

2. Gun Control

Gun control is an issue that impacts everyone, especially people in education. The Virginia Tech shooting remains the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history, at 32 people killed. College voters should be consciously thinking about gun control policy and how it impacts their overall safety. The time to act on gun control is not just afterthoughts and prayers, but all the time.

Here is a link that reports each candidate's gun control policy.

3. Reproductive Care access

Reproductive care access does not seem like a pressing issue to college voters until you begin to analyze it. College-aged people typically need access to birth control, STD screenings, adequate reproductive information, and abortions care. Abortion rights are being rolled back state-by-state and the need for a President to protect these rights is imperative. While the Democratic candidates are generally in agreement on where they stand on reproductive care access, the main difference may be between democrats and republicans.

Here is a link that outlines each candidate's policy on reproductive care.

4. Minimum wage

Many college students work during their time in college. Among full-time students in 2015-2016, 41% worked part-time and 16% worked 35 hours a week or more. College students are likely to get jobs that are minimum-wage jobs or jobs that pay below the new proposed minimum wage. College students are notoriously broke and if you are someone interested in a higher paying job, most Democratic candidates are in favor of raising the minimum wage to $15/hour.

Here is a link that outlines each candidate's policy on minimum-wage.

5. College debt and tuition costs

The cost of higher education is dramatically increasing. Tuition prices are increasing eight times faster than wages. The U.S.'s student loan debt has reached 1.5 trillion dollars. Certain democratic candidates are running on the platform of eliminating the cumulative student loan debt. If you are someone who is interested in affordable higher education, think about looking into the 2020 candidates.

Here is a link that outlines each candidate's policies on college debt and tuition costs.

6. Marijuana Legalization

It is no surprise that college students might be interested in marijuana legalization. Nearly two-thirds of all voters support marijuana legalization. Many candidates are looking to legalize or decriminalize marijuana usage. Even if you are not typically interested in politics, you might be interested in this issue.

Here is a link that shows where the candidates are on marijuana legalization.

Overall, young college-age people need to turn out to vote in the 2020 Presidential Election. There are issues affecting this demographic far more than they may realize. College students are an untapped demographic and the ones most impacted by policies for years to come. It is time for students to flood the polls on Election Day.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190100
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14830
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457806
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26597
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments