CCNY Students Share Their Thoughts on the Upcoming Election

Photo from Janine Robinson on Unsplash

Text by Jaden Rocha

Updated 1:22pm, October 17, 2024

With the presidential election about a month away, students at City College are trying to decide who they will mark on their 2024 ballot. Early voting has begun in many areas, in a race, according to most national polls, that is very close.  

Still, surveys of young Americans favor Kamala Harris. A poll released last month by the Institute of Politics (IOP) at the Harvard Kennedy School showed that among 18-to-29-year-olds nationwide, she holds a 31-point lead over former President Donald Trump among likely voters.  

Gabriel Gonzalez, a freshman at CCNY and an environmental engineering major, said that, in line with the surveys, he plans to vote for Harris. "I don't really like Republicans that much," he said.  

In interviews with other CCNY students, another thing remained clear: No one knows what will happen on election day. “Right now, it's all a very confusing time,” said Trinity Taylor, a senior majoring in psychology.  

Aiden Hilaire, a sophomore majoring in psychology, agreed, noting that the two candidates on the ticket are not ideal. “It’s your duty to vote,” said Hilaire. “It’s important to vote but how many options do you really have. It feels as if we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place.”  

Christopher Rodriguez, a computer Science major, felt clearer about his choice. He said he would vote for Donald Trump because of the economy. “I hope that prices will go back down,” he explained, while adding that he would like to move forward peacefully after the elections are over.  

Though Taylor mentioned she planned to vote for Harris because she believes Trump is a “bad example” and she likes the image of a Black and Asian woman in office, she added that no matter who wins, she hopes the divisiveness in the country comes to an end. “I don’t care if people are Republican or Democrat,” she said. “I just want unity.”