Tech community members had the opportunity to vote in person for the upcoming presidential election at the John Lewis Student Center last week. Early voting was open to all registrants on Oct. 24 and 25. According to the Associated Press, Georgia has a record-breaking turnout this election season. The Technique spoke to young voters to understand this phenomenon and to gauge their experiences with the voting process at Tech.
Many voters agreed that voter registration is easy at Tech. This semester, organizations provided registration forms to students on Tech Green, which they delivered directly to the Fulton County Registration Office. Not only this, but students agreed on the convenience of in-person voting. “I love that they have on-campus voting. I tell my friends about early voting opportunities,” said Sarah Duong, third-year ID.
Many students mentioned that it was their first time casting a ballot. Robert Lin, second-year ECE M.S., was one of them.
“We should because it’s our responsibility,” Lin said.
Other voters shared this sentiment. “I’m voting like my life depends on it because it does,” Vuong said.
Loránd Cheng, second-year Ph.D., specifically vocalized the importance of Georgia voting. “I was motivated to make my vote count because Georgia is a close race,” Cheng said.
The neck-and-neck nature of the election is felt nationally this season. As increased polarization exacerbates key topics, college campuses are often the epicenter for political protests, as seen earlier this year. To examine the effect on campus, the Technique asked voters their opinions on the political climate at Georgia Tech.
“There is very little happening on Tech Green in terms of protests,” Vuong said.
Many feel this way, including Quan Le, third-year ECE. “We are unique in a school because we strive really hard to be apolitical; elections make us confront our values and our actions,” Le said.
Although college campuses are left-leaning, the general perception from early voters is that Tech is less liberal than the average university. Le gave her insight into the opposing forces that may cause this.
“Tech is so heavily affiliated with the defense and military-industrial complex,” said Le. “There are a lot of moderates at Tech, I feel.”
As a public university, the Institute cannot use its own resources to engage in political activity. Therefore, the Institute itself is not affiliated with a political party and instead encourages students to be involved in democratic processes.
“I don’t feel like there is a strong [political] environment at Tech compared to what I noticed at other universities,” Lin said.
Of the people interviewed, only a few felt comfortable sharing their views. This apprehension speaks to the split at Tech that is prevalent on a national scale; many are hesitant to share due to political differences, especially those who lean right.
Ankith Thalanki, second-year CS, finds the diversity of opinion welcoming. “During the debate, …there were people showing their beliefs on politics across the spectrum,” Thalanki said. “A lot of people show their beliefs in a lot of ways.”
Although quiet compared to other universities, some demonstrations at the campus center indicate signs of political life.
The voters’ perspective on the election itself is similar to national perception; it’s a nail-biting tie.
“Way too close for comfort,” Duong said.
Regarding specific topics on the minds of voters, abortion and women’s rights are a recurring concern. “We are exercising our right because we [women] haven’t always had the right to vote,” Duong said.
In addition, interviewees emphasized foreign policy, referencing the Israel-Palestine conflict. This is divisive amongst Tech students, so a preferential view is unclear. Other topics of interest include affordable healthcare and gun regulation.
Illegal immigration is also a hot subject. Andrew Silver, fourth-year ME, highlights this as his main decision point. “It could be a burden to the economy,” Silver stated.
But overall, it seems policy isn’t the only factor deciding people’s vote. Students both voted for their beliefs, but also as a discredit to the opposing candidate. “[Kamala Harris] doesn’t come across as someone very competent or qualified,” Silver told the Technique.
This works on both sides. “Donald Trump is an unintelligent person,” Cheng said.
Tech students are based on who they oppose instead of who they support. “It’s exited the point of policy and rationale and more of following certain people no matter what they do,” Vuong said.
As Georgia is a battleground state, and its result is a critical one. Out-of-state students are switching their registration to contribute to Georgia’s verdict. Ava Norton, first-year CE, is originally from South Carolina but changed her registration to Fulton County once she got to Tech.
“South Carolina is predominantly red, [and] I feel like my vote would have less of an impact there than it would here… because Georgia is more of a swing state,” Norton said.
As the election approaches, more residents of Fulton County anticipate Georgia’s decision. There will be no more voting opportunities on campus, but early voting is open throughout Georgia until Election Day.