Pulse of the Voters: Divide in political views among college students

Mar. 15—Young adults are expressing concerns as American voters hurdle toward what appears to be rematch between former president Donald Trump and incumbent Joe Biden this fall.

Katelyn Samples, 18, from Roane County, West Virginia — a freshman at Marshall University — will head to the polls for the first time in the 2024 general election. She said her mind is still not made up but said it was time for a change.

"I think we need somebody different to be running our country," she said.

Samples indicated she is not a Republican or Democrat.

"I honestly just don't know," she said, talking about where she falls between party lines. "I was raised in a Democratic household, but I feel like I should be able to make my own choices and not have to follow in my family's footsteps."

The young lady sitting outside the student center adjacent to the Memorial Fountain said she initially felt compelled to not vote due to being undereducated on political matters.

"I wasn't going to vote; I feel like there are so many more people who have a better opinion and educational view of these things compared to what I do," Samples said.

Asia Banks, 25, a student at Ohio University Southern and resident of Burlington, Ohio, is a self-proclaimed "liberal Democrat." She said women's rights and LGBTQ rights are among a list of concerns driving her to the ballot box this November.

"The overturning of Roe v. Wade, that was very awful and unreal," Banks said. "I was like how is this happening in the 21st Century?" She recalled Trump paving a way for the reversal of a woman's right to an abortion.

Banks, a Black female in southern Ohio, said without a doubt she will be standing behind Biden this fall. She said it's in her nature to always vote Democrat.

"I will vote for Joe Biden, I always vote blue, I never vote red. ... Joe Biden is for climate change," Banks said. "Donald Trump is an ableist and alleged rapist. I don't want anybody like him in office, especially how he treats marginalized people."

She recalled the attack on the U.S Capitol on Jan. 6.

"It's just another reason for me to be very angry with Donald; he obviously influenced those people to attack the Capitol," Banks said.

Banks said Biden and Trump as the main choices is "very disappointing."

"Joe Biden is OK and all, but I just want different options," she said.

Banks would favor Gavin Newsom, a Democratic governor in California, as President.

"He cares about gun laws, affirmative care, equal pay for women and men," Banks said.

Wren Tolbert, 18, from Hurricane, West Virginia, is a first-time voter on the fence. The Marshall student said Trump's behavior steers her away. When asked if it came down to Trump or Biden, she said, "I don't know, I would say maybe Biden because I know less of him, but I've heard so much more about what has happened with Trump that I feel less wanting to vote for him."

A friend joining Tolbert on a bench Thursday in proximity of Old Main — the oldest building on Marshall's campus — did not want to be named. She said her concern is "old age" related problems.

"There should be an age limit all together, on how old the president can be. I live in a Republican household so I would probably vote for Trump," Tolbert's friend said.

First-time voter Lainey Trent, 19, from Logan, West Virginia, is a sophomore at Marshall University. She said she is an independent voter focused on the economy.

"None of the options are really good. I am not really leaning toward Biden; I feel like Trump would be the better option for our economy," Trent said.

Trent wished to see younger candidates on the ballot.

"The younger generation would be represented better, especially with the TikTok ban that is going on right now. They have no idea what TikTok is; they just think China.

"The younger generation is perceived as wrong and stupid because we are all connected toward our technology and it's really wrong," she said.

Chloe Barker, 22, from Huntington, West Virginia, is a self-described "progressive" and senior at Marshall University. She said she voted for Biden in 2020 and will return to the polls to cast her vote once again for him.

"Biden definitely. His views are more democratic. He's just the better option than Trump for me," Barker said. "Donald Trump has had a lot of negative press and a lot of it is true. He's just not the role model we need for our country."

Barker said the behavior Trump showcases is not good for America.

"He tried to incite a riot. Let's be honest, that's what it was and that's what a lot of people have called it. Even his vice president, who was very loyal to him at the time, won't work for him anymore because he tried making him do illegal things during his campaign, especially when the riot was incited," Barker said.

"I definitely think his behavior is intolerable for the representation of this country," she added. ".. I am not excited about that at all because last time this happened, COVID happened. It seems like bad, negative energy. I don't want it to repeat. I definitely didn't want it to be them. They are both close to 80 years old. It really should be someone younger in office, who can make more progressive stands in our laws."

Barker said reproductive rights is a driving factor.

"Especially with the overturning of Roe v. Wade," she said. "As a young woman I am worried about what other things they might bring into action like birth control. (Trump) listens to his audience, which is a good thing, but he pushes more of a harsh Republican agenda, anti-laws about reproduction, he's not for abortion at all. He's done a lot of things to the LGBTQ community."

As an environmental science major, Barker said Trump is a threat to the environment.

"He's made a couple of pipelines and destroyed habitats; none of his policies I agree with. People can say he was better for the economy, but there are a lot more issues than the economy," she said.

"We should be worried because we saw what happened last time he lost. If he wins, it's just going to be the same thing," she added.

Chloe Lester, 21, from Laeger, West Virginia, and a senior at Bluefield University, said economics and health care are matters of concern for her in the upcoming election. She said despite the "Trump allegations," she would still vote for him.

"Coming from a military standpoint and just coming back from basic military training, I heard stories from those who lost friends in Afghanistan and Iraq. They felt their military time and deaths they had seen was all because of nothing because Biden chose to pull soldiers out, when in reality we were doing good over there. Also our economy was in better shape when Trump was in office."

Lester questioned why there are not term limits on members of Congress.

"Why are we letting people in office who still have the same mindset of 30 years ago? Their thinking is not progressive. Wisdom doesn't always come with old age; sometimes old age is stubbornness to change."

Marianne Williamson, a candidate who ended her presidential bid in early February — who Lester had seen on TikTok multiple times — was someone of interest for her.

"I love her messages on wanting to help our economy, especially in terms of universal healthcare," she said.

(606) 326-2657 — ajohnson@dailyindependent.com