Young voter turnout in the recent midterm election was the second highest it had been in three decades. Some of those voters call San Diego State University home.

According to a report from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University, some 27% of voters in the 18-29 age range voted last month. The previous high for that age grouping to vote in a midterm was approximately 31 percent in 2018.

Historically, young voters have consistently voted at lower rates than older voters do, according to Kimberly Twist, a political science professor at San Diego State University.

“I think it’s important for everyone to vote, not only college students, but it is true that younger voters – by turning out at lower rates – have less of a say in what happens in politics, even though many of the decisions taken at the local, state, and federal levels affect their day-to-day lives,” said Twist. “We usually focus on federal election outcomes…but we shouldn’t forget state and local elections. The California government takes actions that directly affect SDSU students, such as budget and curriculum decisions.”

At SDSU, students were encouraged to get involved in the election by the “Rock the Vote” campaign. “Rock the Vote” aimed to encourage civic engagement amongst students by helping them register to vote and providing them with ballot education information. This midterm season, they registered more than 500 student voters.

Various campus political organizations also encouraged students to get involved by hosting election activities. This included lobbying for candidates, phone banking for propositions, meeting with representatives, presenting midterm information, and hosting guest speakers.

Above all, the student leaders of these groups emphasized the importance of voting.

“I believe voting is, and will forever be, the strongest weapon of a democracy,” said Josh Rawson, president of the College Republicans. “Real change comes through the ballot box. If you want to see your community grow and become better, you have to vote.”

Cambria Head, the chair of external relations for SDSU Ignite, shared similar feelings about the power voting has.

“It is extremely important to vote, especially as a young person,” said Head. “The laws and rules implemented by our elected officials directly affect the lives of millions and, without participating in elections, American citizens lose their voice.”

Student political leaders said that abortion was one of the most important issues to them in this election. Abortion rights were brought to the ballot with Proposition 1, which would amend the California constitution to guarantee access to abortion. The Proposition ultimately passed with 67% of the votes in support.

“Prop 1 was the most important vote for me,” said Jazmyn Horton, president of the SDSU Imperial Valley Planned Parenthood Generation of Action. “When there is something like Prop 1 open for debate, I feel it’s even more important I show up to vote.”

Kiarra Mapp, president of Turning Point USA at SDSU , also said abortion was the most important issue for her in the midterm election.

“I am not in favor of on-demand, tax-payer funded, limitless abortions,” said Mapp. “So I watched the development of Prop 1 as closely as I could.”

Mapp also referred to election integrity as an important issue for her and for many members of Turning Point USA.

“I have lost a substantial amount of faith and trust in the voting process in this country,” said Mapp. “If major news outlets are touting the phrase ‘free and fair elections’ then there ought to be accessible, numerous ways the average voter can prove it themselves.”

Rawson shared these concerns about fair elections.

“As Republicans, we are in a constant pursuit of truth, which is why we often question the narratives told to us by varying governmental and media establishments,” said Rawson. “The vile reception from the left and major media outlets at even the suggestion of oddities found at several polling sites was bewildering. Our suspicions are raised and our trust in the voting process is put into question.”

Head, however, said she felt confident in the process.

“I feel there are steps individuals, organizations, and states have taken to ensure a fair election, leading me to feel more secure about the process,” she said.

Other issues important to SDSU political leaders included crime and land rights for indigenous peoples.

Twist explained that voters can be informed about these and other important issues by using ballot education resources, such as KPBS proposition coverage or Project Vote Smart, which provides non-partisan information about issues and candidates. She also encouraged people to ask questions about what is on their ballot.

“My department, for example, had an election event in late October, open to the whole campus, and people could ask questions about anything election-related,” said Twist. “We covered local, state, and national races and implications.”

By taking advantage of opportunities like this, Twist said voters can better follow complicated political issues.

SDSU campus photo credit: Karen Austin. Political group photo credits: Cambria Head, Kiarra Mapp and Josh Rawson. 

Editor’s note: This article was written by Natali Gonzalez, an MA student in rhetoric and writing studies at San Diego State University. See more of her work at: thedailyaztec.com/staff_name/natali-gonzalez/.