UMSL students (from left) Joseph Methner, Kendra Clark, Malik Allen-Taylor and Sarah Kelly all have different, but strong, reasons for voting and making their voices heard. (Photos by Sarah Thomas)

By Sarah Thomas

Though 2020 has not been an ordinary election year, the University of Missouri–St. Louis has encouraged all students to vote in an effort to promote civic duty.

While some students have voted in previous elections, many students will vote for the first time in this year’s general election. The country is anticipating a historic voter turnout in which college students will play a significant role in.

This year’s presidential election has raised a lot of questions, feelings and concerns for students across the country. We reached out to UMSL students to hear about their feelings towards this year’s presidential election.

Sarah Kelly, communications

How will you be voting in the election (in person, by mail, early, etc.)?
In person day of election.

How are you feeling towards the upcoming election?
I am nervous about the outcome, but I am excited that so many people are voting this year and that there has been a big push from all sorts of platforms to get people registered and voting in this election.

What does the upcoming election mean to you?
This is the first presidential election I get to vote in, and it’s certainly a memorable one. This election to me means fighting for everyone’s rights – especially minorities.   

Why do you feel it is important to vote/why are you voting?
Even though I have just one vote, it is a vote for someone I believe in and a vote for political change our country desperately needs. This is a democracy, and everyone should have the opportunity to vote and have their voices heard.

What have you done to prepare for the election?
I have watched the debates, kept up on local and national articles and talked to my friends and family about their opinions.

Has this election made you more likely to be involved in politics going forward?
This election has certainly been interesting, and I think seeing the large number of voters come out this year has been exciting. It has definitely made me proud to be a part of the younger generation voting in large numbers.

Joseph Methner, public policy

How will you be voting in the election (in person, by mail, early, etc.)?
I voted early back home in Michigan.

How are you feeling towards the upcoming election?
I am feeling very anxious. A lot is on the line in this election, and I think most people would say they are feeling that same way. I’ve spent a lot of time volunteering for candidates and organizing fellow students here at UMSL, and all that work culminates on election night. I’m nervous about the results, but I still remain hopeful about our future.

What does the upcoming election mean to you?
This election is a fight for progress. There are many key races this year that could help decide the direction this country will go in the future. It’s time to elect people that want to fight for the things we want like public health care, a green economy, a higher wage for workers and the basic necessities that people need to live a life free of worry. Progress towards these goals is on the ballot, not only on a national level, but on a state and local level all across the country. 

Why do you feel it is important to vote/why are you voting?
Voting is one piece of the work that needs to be done. I believe voting is important because we need to put people in power that will listen to the people and what we want. The work doesn’t end with voting, but it is an important part of the process in creating a better future.

What have you done to prepare for the election?
I have been volunteering and helping organize the youth vote. This included doing phone banking, literature drops, hosting virtual debate watch parties and dropping in on Zoom classes to talk about voting and creating voting plans. I knew I didn’t want to wake up on Nov. 4 feeling like I should’ve done more. I hope the work that I and so many other fantastic people all across the country have done will pay off on election day.

Has this election made you more likely to be involved in politics going forward?
I have been pretty involved in politics the past couple of years, and I will continue to stay involved. The work doesn’t stop on election day. Once we elect the officials we want, we need to continue to push them toward the policies that we want to see. There is also so much work to do within communities, whether that is through volunteering, mutual aid or organizing your workplace. The work never stops, and I plan to continue to stay involved.

Kendra Clark, psychology

How will you be voting in the election (in person, by mail, early, etc.)?
This year I opted to vote via mail-in ballot. It seemed like the safest and more efficient way to vote this year.

How are you feeling towards the upcoming election?
Quite frankly, I’m a bit nervous. This is my first election voting since I wasn’t 18 in time for the 2016 election. I am still learning about politics, but from the information I have been exposed to, there are pros and cons to both sides. What doesn’t seem to be harped on as much as the presidential candidates are the senate and house members, as well as the judges. I’m hoping that we don’t see any fallout after the results of the election are announced.

What does the upcoming election mean to you?
The main thing I am taking from this election is that my voice matters. There were various barriers that many before me had to go through to make sure that I am able to vote today. I feel that in a way I forfeit my right to “complain” if I have the right to vote but I don’t utilize that privilege.

Why do you feel it is important to vote/why are you voting?
Voting is a way to make sure that my voice is heard.

What have you done to prepare for the election?
I’ve read news articles and watched overviews of debates.

Has this election made you more likely to be involved in politics going forward?
Yes, for a while now I have been wanting to get more involved in politics since politics influence my everyday life. I’m also hoping to find less biased and reliable sources to get my information from. 

Malik Taylor-Allen, media studies

How will you be voting in the next election (in person, by mail, early, etc.)?
I will be voting in person.

How are you feeling towards the upcoming election?
I feel anxious because there is a lot on the line for our country, state and community.

What does the upcoming election mean to you?
This election is important to me because I want to ensure that those who represent us protect student rights and ensure equal and fair access to education.

Why do you feel it is important to vote/why are you voting?
I am voting this year to ensure that I have done my part as a citizen by showing up. 

What have you done to prepare for the election?
I researched the candidates and discussed it with peers.

Has this election made you more likely to be involved in politics going forward?
I do want to become more politically active, particularly by vouching for the protection of secular rights and freedoms. It’s imperative that we protect these.