By Victoria Mejicanos, Nov. 5, 2024
With likely more than half of U.S votes already cast in this election due to early voting, those voting in person are leading the final push for candidates today.
Cal Poly Pomona has its own in person voting location at Ursa Minor inside the Bronco Student Center this afternoon. While in a long line, students shared some of their thoughts as they waited to cast their votes.
Carmen Garcia, a first-time voter and music industry studies student, is voting because her parents, who are undocumented immigrants, cannot. She also has concerns about housing and the price of rent, which is why she is passionate about Proposition 33.
“As someone who’s been living in an apartment, it’s really bad,” she said.
Hailey Rodriguez, a theater student, is most focused on her individual rights. She believes in women’s reproductive rights, and that is what’s guiding her vote.
“No. 1 is abortion, women,” Rodriguez said. “Will you have your own choice to do whatever you want for yourself?”
She also shared the reminder that a vote is private, echoing calls from public figures, including ads supporting of Kamala Harris’ campaign for president, to tell women they don’t have to vote the same as their husbands.
“There’s no other person that can decide for you,” Rodriguez said.
Although it’s public record whether or not a person votes, who a person votes for is not public.
Kevin Montes shared he is hoping his vote can impact the prison system in the U.S.
“Some of the issues that I like to focus on or always grab my attention are the ones around prisons and funding for prisons, and anything really tied to that whole industry,” said Montes. “I feel like in this country, our prison system can use a lot of work. It’s far from perfect. They’re overcrowded, they’re underfunded, and the private prison owners make way too much money.”
For these reasons, Montes is focused on Proposition 6, which would limit forced labor in state prisons. Additionally, he mentioned Proposition 36, which would reclassify some drug misdemeanors as felonies.
As a Latino, Montes feels there is discrimination in terms of incarceration.
“Some people call it modern-day slavery, so I don’t want my people to be at risk,” he said.
Trevor Carter, an electrical engineering student, is a first-time voter who is pessimistic about both candidates and what they will actually achieve in terms of what they promise. He shared instead of relying on what the candidates say presently, he is looking at their past actions, particularly when it comes to COVID-19 and the Jan. 6 White House attack.
Despite his pessimism, he shared his perspective on the importance of voting.
”It’s so little time to do,” Carter said. “It’s one day out of the year. If you’re only doing presidential elections, and you might as well pick somebody that aligns with one of your benefits. There’s not a lot of reason not to.”
The BSC has in-person voting until 8 p.m. tonight. Students can also drop off their mail-in ballots outside the Student Services Building.
Featured image courtesy by Bryan Doan