The 2024 election has brought one of the closest presidential races in history, with a mass divide between the democratic and republican parties the results of the election have proved unpredictable.
Students aged 18 years old or older were able to cast their votes in the election for the first time. Whether able to vote or not, students continue to hold their own opinions regarding the election and the importance of making their voices heard.
“I think it’s really close, I think Trump kind of has a more populous movement where it’s kind of almost, really unlike any politician we’ve ever had in modern history,” senior Alexander Olson said. “[He] just kind of bullies his way around and does what he wants and has a cult personality that is almost disengaged with the media. Kamala Harris has to talk like a professional politician and get critiqued like one with every statement, while Trump doesn’t have to engage in any policy discussions and can just get on stage and ramble unfiltered about whatever with no evidence and can attack political opponents with no backlash.”
Olson was not able to vote in this election but works as an election worker for Williamson County.
“I think it’s important to make sure that we have a good system right now and I want to do everything I can for this election,” Olson said. “Go out and vote and make your voice heard. That’s important. So everybody that is eligible to, go vote!”
Olson gets the majority of his information from social media, recently he attended the Texas Tribune Festival where he heard speakers Nancy Pelosi and Colin Allred speak on election issues, through these resources he was able to form an opinion on what he finds important in candidates.
“I think protecting democracy is a big one, making sure we have a candidate in there that’s not gonna try to threaten democracy,” Olson said. “I think making sure we have a candidate in there that’s gonna stand for civil liberties and making sure people have access to things like abortion, healthcare and I think a big one for my generation too, is making sure we have money for homes.”
When choosing a candidate, senior Anne Henke looks for someone who will align with her Christian views or who will benefit the American people.
“A candidate that is against abortion, which I know Kamala Harris is not against,” Henke said. “Or at least does what they’re supposed to in regards to doing what’s good for the people and not just for power. So looking more towards how to help the people, instead of looking for reasons to overthrow or reasons to have more power.”
Henke receives the majority of her information from her Austin Community College government class; she believes finding alternative methods, rather than social media, to get educated about the election is important.
“I feel decently informed, I feel like I’ve learned more this year about [the election] than I have in my entire life,” Henke said. “People spread lots and lots of rumors and a lot of people are glued to their phones all day, so they’re likely to maybe look to those instead of actually getting involved with what’s on the news or anything like that.”
When it comes to reactions following election day, Henke worries about spikes in violence throughout the country.
“I’m worried there’s going to be a similar outcome to what happened at the Capitol [in 2020] just with Trump,” Henke said. “I know people are not going to be happy with whatever ends up happening in the end. If I’m being serious, there could be a war that could end up happening. There could be fighting, there could be people dying just because people aren’t happy with the situation. There is already an assassination attempt. I’m definitely worried that something will go wrong either way.”
Senior Riley White believes that political violence is always a concern and worries about an increase in it following election day.
“I think some stuff could happen just because of how much tension is present, especially with this election,” White said. “[With] people calling it the most important election since the founding of our country. So I think there are some worries to be had.”
White thinks what makes this election unique is the amount of divide between parties and followers.
“I think obviously the increased partisanship is very special,” White said, “That’s obviously been increasing for years, that’s how this is probably the most disunited that we’ve ever been.”
The presidential running is not the only election affecting students, the ballot also includes a vote for a bond that includes four separate propositions issued by RRISD, each focused on funding separate issues within the district, if approved property tax would rise.
“I think the bond is important, especially if you’re a student, you should be voting on it,” White said. “Because none of us are meeting property anytime soon. I think education is much more important than small property tax increases. Especially if you’re able to afford a property I think most of the time you’ll be able to afford a slight property tax increase to be able to pay for increased education for the benefit of our country.”
For the election, Olson believes student safety is important, whether that’s through school resources or student interactions.
“I think making sure we have enough mental health counselors and making sure we have resources for every student,” Olson said. “It’s usually around this time where a lot of people are talking about the election frequently in class and it’s important to make sure that people stay civil, have informed disagreements and talk logically.”
