Historically young voters don't show up at the polls for mid-term elections. But today is a very different election climate. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley talked with a younger generation of voters on ECC's North campus in Amherst.
“I want to actually contribute and now is like the time for me to actually really help out,” said Darryl Spencer of Buffalo, ECC student.
Spencer tells WBFO News he will be voting Tuesday. This is the second time he will be voting in an election. Spencer said he's eager to have his ballot count in a divided nation.
“Do you find your generation more interested now, given the political climate and the divineness that’s happening in our nation? Buckley asked.
“I would say so. It’s still a long way to go, but I think, especially after last election and seeing how our current president is doing things right now and the current state of politics – a lot of people are finding out ‘okay maybe I should go out and do something’ or at least it’s in the back of their mind – that’s kind of where it starts. You have to kind of flip a switch on some people and if this doesn’t flip a switch for a lot of people in my generation – then it’s kind of tough, but I believe things have actually hit a switch and they’re going to be getting better,” responded Spencer.
“I think that it's important to be involved in government and be involved with what’s going on because it directly affects you and everything around you,” replied another ECC student from Kenmore.
The student did not want to give her name for our story, but said she will be casting her ballot Tuesday. She is a registered democrat, but said that does not mean she will vote for only democratic candidates.
“I’m on the side that I think is going to help the community best, but I don’t really vote just for democrats – I vote for who I think is the best person, responded the student.
Back in 2016, when we visited a college campus during the Presidential race, many students said they would not vote because neither Donald Trump nor Hillary Clinton appealed to them. However this time it appears students want to raise their voices by ‘exercising their voting right.’