By: Diana Gilday
Another election day has come and gone at SUNY Purchase. The Red Room was open for voting until 9 PM and students from across campus, on a day off nonetheless, came in to contribute to American Democracy.
A pivotal part of American democracy, senior Elizabeth Jacobson believes that voting is one of the most important things a person can do.
“My great grandmother was a suffragette,” said Jacobson. “Every woman in my family has been instilled with the fact that it’s a privilege to be able to vote.”
Other students believe that it is part of their responsibility as a United States citizen to cast their ballot.
“I vote because it is my civic duty as an American,'' said Londell Nugent, a freshman arts management major.
Voting is a good way to enact change in a community.
“I believe people should vote,” said freshmen dance major Andrew Demo. “They should vote for what they believe will make the future better.”
Others however, decided not to participate in the election today for many reasons. One of the main reasons being issues surrounding absentee ballots.
“A lot of the times, absentee ballots never make it to college students,” said Phoebe Madison Miller. “I have spoken to so many people who have not gotten their ballots.”
This issue was major for freshmen William Keener.
“I am not voting,” said Keener. “I am from Texas and I would much rather vote the right way [in person].”
Some students believe that since New York is such a democratic state, their vote doesn’t have much of an impact.
“While voting is important to having your own voice heard, New York is such consistently blue state,” said Thomas Kostic, a junior playwriting and screenwriting major. “There doesn’t feel like there is pressure to vote until the primaries next year.”