Feature Story by Staff Writer Aubrey Johnson
Among the student body, 43% of freshmen through seniors at DCHS are not interested in the 2024 presidential election, whereas only 4% of the staff were not. Why is there such a huge gap in percentages? The age difference and adolescents' lack of concern play a large part. It's easy to disregard the election when you are young enough not to vote or feel neither candidate is suitable. However, the 2024 election contributes to many issues that affect all high school students.
Based on the interested students, some prominent concerns were gun control, women's rights, and immigration. Among some of these students is senior Keaton Bush who soon will be able to register to vote. He worries about issues such as border security, his Second Amendment rights, and whether or not he will join the military.
Sophomore Haley Farmer, who has also expressed great concern in the election, explains that she is most concerned about abortion rights. On June 24th, 2022 Roe vs. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, ending the federal right to abortion law. Abortion laws are now decided by each state’s lawmakers. According to the Guttmacher Institute, “13 states have total abortion bans,” meaning that abortion is prohibited at any duration of a pregnancy. However, according to The New York Times overall, “Twenty-one states ban abortion or restrict the procedure earlier in pregnancy than the standard set by Roe v. Wade.” Nebraska has two abortion measures on the ballot this year: one to retain current laws and one to amend the state constitution to allow abortion until fetal viability.
While this election may not seem like a crucial part of high school students' lives, students now in high school will move on to college with the same issues that will result from the outcome of the election. According to New America, issues such as college affordability, student loans, and good jobs are “at stake in the 2024 election.” Recently on October 17th, the Biden-Harris Administration approved $4.5 billion in student loan relief for 60,000 people in addition to the amount the administration already gave out making the total loan forgiveness $175 billion. Depending on each candidate's beliefs will determine the results of student loan forgiveness plans in the future.
Even if students do not care about student loans, this election will affect the amount of money public schools will receive. Nebraska Referendum 435, a private education scholarship program, will ask voters in November if they want to advocate or repeal Bill 1402. If the people vote to implement this bill it will put aside 10 million dollars of public money used for public education, to partially or fully pay for non-public schools. As specified by ABC News, “A Survey USA poll conducted in late August showed that 35 percent of registered voters wanted to repeal the bill, while 26 percent wanted to keep it; 39 percent remained undecided.”
Additionally with student-athletes participating in various sports or activities, owning a reliable car to get to practices or games is a key factor. Students also enjoy having the freedom to drive wherever they would like. However, the purchasing of cars may also be affected in the presidential election due to tariffs. Tariffs are defined as, “a tax or duty to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports.” These raised tariffs on cars or any goods, will ultimately impact the cost of retail prices to make up for the price the government is paying to receive these goods. Whether students or their parents are purchasing the vehicle, the car value will ultimately increase. The results of this election could impact purchases for years going forward.
Becoming enlightened on political topics is one of the most important things younger people who cannot vote yet can do. Mr. Neurd, a history teach at DCHS, believes, “Knowing the importance of voting and the step-by-step how to vote and register, and even though they can't vote yet still become informed voters,” is how young people can participate in shaping political discourse.
Being of age to vote and choosing not to due to the disliking of either candidate only results in not having a say in what decisions happen. “When you choose not to vote, you’re handing over your power to someone else — someone whose values, beliefs, and priorities may not align with yours. You’re allowing others to decide who will write the laws that shape your life, your community, and your country,” explained the Daily Freeman-Journal. When not voting you're choosing not to care about policies that will end up affecting your everyday life.
With local elections especially, staying informed about what will happen with your community is severely important. The David City local election cycle is different from previous elections because “there is a strong opponent to one of the current senators and there are multiple ballot measures for Nebraska which is 6 more than in previous years,” said Mr. Nerud. Your vote represents your voice, and your voice represents your vote. Make sure to use it.