A New Generation of Voters

Brian Yoon ‘19

January 20, 2017 will be the last day of President Obama’s second term. Around this time, his successor – our nation’s new president – will be sworn into office. Ridge seniors, many of whom are eligible to vote, will receive a choice as to who the successor is by voting on November 8, 2016.

Many Ridge seniors have expressed anticipation – if not genuine enthusiasm – regarding the voting process. Emily York ’16 comments on the voting process, remarking, “I think voting is something new, and I’m glad I’ll get to participate in it during a really exciting election year. I am excited to be able to have a voice in the upcoming presidential election.” 

To be eligible to vote in Basking Ridge, registrants must be a United States citizen, at least eighteen years of age, and a resident of their county for 30 days prior to the election. They must also not be currently serving a sentence, probation, or parole because of a felony conviction.

If a voter fulfills these requirements, registrants must complete a Voter Registration Application and/or Party Affiliation Form, which must be mailed or delivered to the County Commissioner of Registration or Superintendent of Elections at 1 Collyer Lane, Basking Ridge, New Jersey.

For the seniors who complete all necessary steps, voting becomes an adventure into adulthood, rife with candidates and political choice.

Currently in the Republican Party, the potential nominees are Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and John Kasich. Well-known former candidates Marco Rubio, Ben Carson, and Jeb Bush have all dropped out of the presidential race.

Rana Shahani ‘16 observes, “I would have to say that I feel the two remaining prominent [Republican] candidates are very polarizing figures. In my opinion, Kasich is the traditional candidate who doesn’t rile up the audience like Cruz and Trump have done.”

In the Democratic Party, the potential nominees are Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton.

However, reports in the media suggest that

the majority of youths do not trust Hillary Clinton, citing her ties to Wall Street and the scandal surrounding her email server.

Austin Hu ’19 comments, “Hillary Clinton’s ties to Wall Street and her recent email scandals have made her a figure that is deemed untrustworthy among young voters.”

On the other hand, Bernie Sanders has garnered an incredible amount of support from young voters. Sanders’ ideology appeals to the masses. His refusal to take money from Super PACs and acceptance of only small donations to fuel his campaign supports his stance as a staunch defender of the average man and woman. Furthermore, unlike many Republicans and Democrats, Sanders believes in creating an America for future generations. He has criticized the wealth gap and introduced radical ideas such as low cost or free universities, which appeal greatly to young voters.

Since young voter turnout has been consistently low in past election years, young voters have never been a major area of focus for presidential campaigns. However, with the emergence of Bernie Sanders, young voters have flocked to support him in his pursuit of an America for the middle class.

When asked about who he would vote for the upcoming presidential campaign, Shahani replied, “Well I’m kind of between Bernie Sanders and John Kasich at the moment… Bernie Sanders represents an idealist world where we can do everything that we want done.”

There is still a long way to go until Election Day, and Ridge Seniors can decide to vote for the candidate that appeals most to them. Whether or not they vote, young voters are expected to be a game-changer in this upcoming election.