Fordham Students Inspired to Vote

Millennial voters have had a low voter turnout in the past few elections. This could have an impact on the 2016 election if this pattern continues, due to the fact that the Millennial population makes up a significant percentage of the U.S. population. Fordham University has tried to do their part in inspiring students to vote by holding voter registration days and giving students off on the day of the election.

According to the Pew Research Center, only 50 percent of eligible Millennials voted in the 2008 election. The numbers were even lower in the 2012 election with only 46 percent of eligible Millennials casting a ballot.

In the 2016 election, Millennial voters make up a large percentage of the voting population. According to the Pew Research Center, Millennials, defined as individuals currently between the ages of 18 and 34, now number 75.4 million. This surpasses the Baby Boomers, defined as individuals currently between 51 and 69, who number 74.9 million.

Fordham University has tried to do their part in inspiring their students to participate in the political process. Fordham held voter registration days to make sure that those who want to vote have that opportunity. Voter registration days were held on all Fordham campuses everyday from Monday, Oct. 3 to Friday, Oct. 7. Students were notified through multiple emails, some coming from the Associate Vice President’s account.

“If you have not yet registered to vote, please take this opportunity to begin your lifelong engagement with the democratic process,” said Lesley A. Massiah-Arthur, Associate Vice President, in one notification email. “The national self-determination that comes with our representative democracy carries responsibilities that are too important to neglect. Voting is not only an important human right but also a duty, one that I urge you to fulfill on Nov. 8.”

Many students registered to vote during student registration days, according to students who ran the registration booth.

“It’s been really awesome seeing how many people are actually stopping and registering,” said Eric Stolar, Fordham student registration booth operator.

Students who showed up to register expressed that they felt Fordham University is doing a good job at inspiring students to vote.

“I think they’ve done a good job inspiring people to vote,” said Fordham student, Amanda Papaleo. “Just having the people here to help you out and register, because I don’t know if I would have taken the time to figure out how to do it on my own, but since it’s so convenient and it’s right here in the lobby, I just do it.”

Though there have been many students who were inspired to register, there were others who were discouraged by their choice of candidates. This has been the popular opinion of a significant percentage of voters, not just Millennials. According to Politico, 53 percent of voters view Clinton unfavorably and 60 percent of voters view Trump unfavorably.

“I think people view both of the candidates as having a lot of faults, so I think that they think it’s better to totally ignore the situation,” said Fordham student Lisa Marchelska, “but I think it’s better to be involved, because it’s a very important time in our country.”

Students also have expressed that they don’t believe their vote truly counts.

“I know a lot of our generation has the idea that our votes don’t matter, that our opinions don’t matter, but that’s very much not true” said Stolar. “Some people think it’s a really scary election, and if you think it is a scary election, that’s all the more reason to go out and vote and try to change the way it’s going to be.”

Fordham University also gives students the day off on Election Day, which makes it easier for students with busy schedules to vote. On Nov. 8, we will see the Millennial voter turnout and their part in shaping the results of the election.