With less than 70 days until the Presidential General Election on November 5, students at California State Unistivity Bakersfield (CSUB) share their reason why voting in this upcoming election is important to them.
According to a study from the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, more than 40 million members of Gen Z (ages 18-27 in 2024) will be eligible to vote in the U.S. And more than 8 million youth (ages 18-19 in 2024) who need to be engaged will have reached voting age in 2024 since the 2022 midterms.
South Kern Sol interviewed some CSUB students ages 18 to 30 to ask why voting is important to them.
Natalia Martin (18)
Although CSUB student Natalia Martin just turned 18, she registered to vote when she turned 16.
“I was in a conference for young voters, I forgot the name, but I was in a conference and they gave us a choice to do and they educated us on all of it. So you did it ahead of time,” Martin said.
Martin is planning to vote for Harris this election because she likes that she will possibly be the first female president and I like what she stands for mostly. She said if Harris had not replaced President Biden she is not sure she would have even voted.
“I think it’s important for young voters to vote because it’s like it’s our futures,” Martin said.
Alexis Zuniga (30)
Alexis Zuniga, CSUB student, first registered to vote the moment she first turned 18 and has been voting for each election since. This upcoming election she is planning on voting for Kamala Harris.
Zuniga said she was originally planning to vote for Biden and then when Kamala took over, she watched the Democratic National Convention and realized she’s really for the people.
“It’s important to me because she’d be the first woman in the presidency. I think that’d be amazing for women since we’ve only had 104 years to even vote. So for someone to be elected would be really awesome,” Zuniga said.
Zuniga said she also thinks it’s important to vote for the local elections, not only the Presidential election.
“That’s important to me because I just went to an event with [Bakersfield’s Mayor Karen Goh] this past weekend and she was super nice, super kind. And then we had a Women’s equality event for future teachers and people because I want to be a teacher,” she said.
Alexa Corrales (18)
One newly 18-year-old CUSB student, Alexa Corrales, shared she cannot legally vote because she wasn’t born in the U.S. but she wanted to share if she was able to, she would.
“I wish I could vote just to give an example to the younger children that it’s important to vote. Since that’s our only way for us to share our thoughts,” Corrales said.
Angel Casillas (23)
Angel Casillas first registered to vote when she turned 18. She did not want to share who she is voting for in this upcoming election but believes it’s important for young people to vote for their future.
“I feel like it just depends on us. Not only our future, but for the younger generations to come. The decisions we will make are going to reflect on them. I feel like they’re going to have to deal with them more when they become adults and go into that world. And I feel like our decisions say a lot about what we feel about not only ourselves, but them as well,” Casillas said.
Casillas also shared that it is important to vote locally as well and to get more involved in your community.
“I feel like you have more of a say in it and it will affect you and the people around you. So why not take advantage if you can and have a say in what you feel is right for the community,” she said.
Some important election dates:
- October 7th: Ballots mailed to every active California Voter.
- October 21th: Last day to register to vote online or by mail.
- November 5th: Polls are open, 7am to 8pm. Last day to vote by mail.*
To learn who is running for public office in Kern County in the November 2024 election on the Kern County Elections Division website.
