Students prepare for Election Day

Story by Claire Smith and Destinee Marking

Generation Z, the youngest of today’s college students, are the newest group of voters that are lining up at the polls.

As this new generation is beginning to make their voices heard, there are still eligible voters not participating.

According to the Commonwealth of Kentucky State Board of Elections, turnout among 17-24 year olds in the state increased from 21.9% in 2014 to 32.8% in 2018. What is driving this demographic’s voting choices?

Abby Rock, a senior and president of Murray State College Republicans, said there are a number of challenges college students in particular face, due to living outside of their home county, that affect whether they vote:

• Uncertainty about the political process,
• Confusion about which political party to register with,
• No early voting in Kentucky,
• Absentee ballot process.

“Just to get [young people] engaged in the political process as a whole is very important,” Rock said.

Students across campus are weighing their options when it comes to voting on Nov. 5. 

Elections taking place in Kentucky include those for governor, attorney general and secretary of state, among others. 

Josh Sanders, a junior, said he is not voting this year because he is not a Kentucky resident. 

“Since I’m not going to stay here for the length of either of the governor’s terms, I don’t think it’s fair for me to have a say in it when I don’t have a stake in Kentucky right now,” Sanders said.

Railey Redd, a sophomore, said she is voting because she is an education major and disagrees with some policies put forth by the current gubernatorial administration.

“I don’t like the choices he’s made in the past, and I’m trying to change that,” Redd said.

To hear how other students feel, check out the video below.

To hear the reporters discuss their personal experiences with the issues highlighted in this story, listen below.

MKYGuide contacted representatives from Murray State College Democrats, who did not respond before press time.