Mississippi College Students Speak Out on Election
Mississippi College Students Speak Out on Election
A survey conducted by Blue & Gold Media gives insights into what issues are impacting MC students' votes.
Blue & Gold Media recently conducted an electoral survey providing perspective on Mississippi College students’ priorities and preferences for the next president of the United States.
The survey of 56 current students sheds light on the most pressing issues for MC students and their voting decisions. It offers key insights into the factors influencing their choices for the 47th president.
Students across campus heavily favor Donald Trump with their vote. Trump holds a landslide margin over Kamala Harris 83% to 10%, with another 7% choosing the option “other,” highlighting consideration of other alternatives from the two major parties. These statistics demonstrate overwhelming support within the student body for Trump's initiatives.
Each candidate has outlined the significance of this election in their own unique way. Students at MC also have different perspectives on the importance of this year’s ballot. “This election offers an opportunity for citizens to influence the direction and overall trajectory of the country,” said senior Robert Lewis. “This is also the first opportunity for many MC students to vote in a presidential election.”
“The upcoming election is a crossroads of American history,” said junior Reed Travelstead. “A lot is riding on this election for the future of what it means to be an American. Both candidates have very opposing views for the future of this country.”
Students expressed various concerns going into the election. Inflation and rising prices place at the top (85%) of students' biggest concerns. National anxiety over inflation and rising prices has been prevalent for the last four years. Trump has suggested multiple ways he plans to attempt to fix inflation and rising prices, including lowering interest rates, increasing American oil production, slashing government spending and regulations, and ending the tax on tips. Harris has suggested that she will deliver on an economic package that will ban gouging grocery store prices and a $25,000 first-time homeowner subsidy. According to Harris, corporations are growing too large and powerful and exploiting Americans.
71% of respondents stated that jobs and the economy were concerns. This figure demonstrates how key economic issues are for students, as many across campus are entering or have already entered the workforce. Trump and Harris provide opposing views on the economy: Trump emphasizes a free market and wide ranges of tax cuts, while Harris emphasizes fairness and inclusion and to make corporations “pay their fair share.”
Other issues students shared concerns about included immigration (59%). Trump has been gearing up the expectation that he will deliver mass deportations across America in the hopes of fighting the spread of fentanyl and record-high illegal border crossings. Kamala Harris is in favor of providing illegal immigrants an earned road to citizenship, stressing the need for border security, and overhauling the present immigration system, which she feels is flawed.
National security polled at 54%, and crime polled at 38%. These statistics show students' concern about safety and law enforcement. Interest in education policy (35%) underlines that students find the candidates' stances on the current education system and the student debt crisis important. Trump has made a point to declare that he wants to close the Department of Education and move education back to the state, while Harris plans on restructuring the education system to combat record-low standardized testing scores.
As election day rolls near, the political climate across the nation will continue to heat up. Student and national concerns about economic stability, national security, and education will continue to be debated in corners and campuses across the country. The results of this survey give a sneak peek into what students across the Mississippi College campus will be taking with them through this gripping election season and, eventually, to the ballot box.
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