Some local college students say they never registered to vote because they're so unhappy with the candidates. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley met with students at Medaille College in Buffalo to discuss Tuesday's historic election.
“I’m kind of disappointed in the two nominees that we have right now and I don’t want to really to give either one of them my vote,” said Lexi, a second year Medaille student.
Lexi sat at a cafeteria table with friends. She never registered to vote because she's not happy with her choices for President even though this would have marked her very first chance to vote in a presidential election.
“After this year, if we still have a government, I will be voting,” with laughter Lexi declared.
“Feels like a high school fight between a boy and girl that don’t like each other,” explained Medaille senior Calvin Crosby. Crosby is registered to vote and this would be his first presidential race, however, he tells us he really has no interest in casting a vote for Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Hillary Clinton.
“I feel like not voting is still a vote at the same time because you’re essential saying I really don’t like the two choices we have, so my choice is to not vote because I want somebody else,” stated Crosby.
A few tables over we found freshman Carley Budziszewski. She’s a staunch Trump supporter. Budziszewski is registered to vote and will cast her ballot in Tuesday's election.
WBFO asked her why she supports Trump. “Because Donald Trump is a businessman and that is what this country needs,” responded Budziszewski.
“Voting for president shouldn’t necessarily be super easy, but it is difficult for all the wrong reasons this year,” stated Dr. Kenneth Macur, President of Medaille.
Macur tells us the race has inspired students to learn to make their own decisions and the spirited campaigns have caused a buzz when it comes to campus conversations.
“There is a buzz and that’s really good too because for a college whose mission talks about civic engagement and mission talks about civic mindedness, this is exactly the place we want to foster those conversation,” described Macur.
“I’m not registered,” said Nick Patterson, a freshman, said he’s totally dissatisfied with Clinton and Trump. “I liked Bernie that was my man.”
Other students like freshman Stephanie Ciesla and senior Halle Juris feel pretty much the same.
“No vote is a vote for Hillary,” declared Juris. “Are you disappointed to vote,” Yeah because I registered to vote last year and now I’m not voting, I refuse, I refuse, and my dad’s trying to force me to vote for Trump and I was like you are not forcing me to vote for anybody,” said Ciesla.
Third year student Joan Wertz says she is registered to vote, but has no idea who she will vote for tomorrow. She's had to take out loans for her college education and worries about her future.
“I don’t particularly like either candidate. I see too many issues with both candidates and I just don’t know how comfortable I feel with the whole thing,” Wertz replied.
Wertz tells us she's going to vote with her 'gut'.
