Generation Z Casts Their Vote

Sophia Mailhoit

Senior Emily Howe does research on the 2020 presidential candidates prior to the election.

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With less than a year until the 2020 election, Triton seniors must soon decide who they think should run our country.

“I’m excited, I mean it’s the first adult thing thing we get to do, other than buying scratch tickets,” said senior Mackenzi Kimball.

The presidential election will take place on November 3 2020 when those who are eligible will cast their vote.  Many of these voters will be voting for the first time, according to the Pew Research Center, roughly 10 percent of voters will belong to Generation Z. 

When It comes to a presidential candidate students at Triton say that some of the most important characteristics are honesty, appreciation for the people, being aware of the issues that our country faces as well as having good character.

Some students also say that having a good vice president is just as important as having a good president. If anything were to happen to our president then the vice president would take their place. 

As the election gets closer the policies that are important to generation Z are only becoming more prevalent in the news and on social media.  Topics like Climate change, college costs, and universal health care have emerged as some of the top issues that candidates must discuss.  

As of December 4 there are 18 nominees running for president, 15 of which are Democrats and three are Republicans. This election cycle has seen six women nominees, which is more women in one year than there has been in the entire history of the United States. 

“I think it [having a woman president] would be good, we’ve had an African American president, so the next step is a women,” said senior Sarah Burd, “I think they would bring a new perspective.” 

The presidential primaries take place from February until June with each state one a specific date. The Massachusetts primaries take place on Tuesday March third, and is apart of Super Tuesday. Some people say that Super Tuesday is one of the most important dates in the election cycle, second only to election day itself, on this day 14 states hold their primary elections. 

While the republican party is being led by President Trump the democratic party has 15 candidates all campaigning to be the nominee. The current top candidates are Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.

Former vice president Joseph Biden Jr, was vice president for eight years under Obama. His platform is restoring America’s global standing, as well as increasing economic protections for low income workers.

 “If we give Donald Trump eight years in the White House, he will forever and fundamentally alter the character of this nation, who we are, and I cannot stand by and watch that happen,” said Biden, according to The New York Times.

Senator Elizabeth Warren has spoken about the need for “big, structural change.”

According to The New York Times, Warren said, “It’s time for women to go to Washington and fix our broken government, and that includes a woman at the top.”

Warrens platform is income inequality, and she has released many detailed plans to reshape the economy.

Bernie Sanders said according to The New York Times, “The only way we will win this election and create a government and economy that works for all is with a grassroots movement — the likes of which has never been seen in American history.” 

Sanders, who is a democratic socialist, has been passionate about issues such as medicare for all and free tuition at public colleges. His platform is to reduce the influence of who he calls “The Billionaires.”

To register to vote you must be a citizen of the United States and be at least 18 years old. You can register online in only a couple of minutes. If able you should go out and vote in order to make sure your voice is heard.