PART 1: What students are saying about Harris, Trump

'We possess the power'

By EVAN JENKINS

Claflin University's SGA President Joshua Williams believes it “is extremely important for young people to vote.”

“Many years ago, we were not afforded the right to vote and now we possess the power.”

Williams said he supports Democat Kamala Harris for president.

“I highly support Kamala Harris’ policy on trying to reduce food and housing costs and how she plans to ban price-gouging on groceries.”

He continued, “I don’t support Trump's policy on tax cuts that have proven to benefit the wealthy vs. everyone else.”

Harris will do 'right by the people'

By CHEYANNE CHAMBERS

“I need a president that will do right by the people,” Claflin student Korey McCaskill says.

Kamala Harris is the right president in this climate, McCaskill said.

“I am voting this year because it’s my rights and civic duty to help pick a candidate that is going to help lead this nation and future generations,” McCaskill said.

There are many policies and issues within our society that Harris/Waltz plans to address, such as women's abortion rights, climate change and housing.

As to the differences between Donald Trump and Harris on reproductive health, McCaskill said, “One candidate supports no abortion rights and another supports women being able to have control over their own health.”

The weight an individual voter has in a presidential election has been debated for years, especially when groups of people in this country haven’t had that right.

“As an African American woman, being able to vote in general was not given back in the day. To keep those that have fought for us to vote, I will vote so their fighting doesn’t go in vain.”

Her vote matters because she knows the election can have a direct impact on her.

“It would make a huge difference for my transition from college to jobs, to being able to afford my own home, to being able to have access to loans to help pay off things that I need. I don’t need inflation to be raised any higher. I don’t need for grocery prices to be raised because of inflation."

Matter of life or death

By MARICELLYN MCDONALD

As the presidential election approaches, sophomore and first-time voter Genesis Miller says the choice between Harris and Trump is a dire decision, especially for minority voters.

“This particular time, I do feel it is necessary for me to vote because it’s almost like life or death, especially as a Black woman in America,” Miller said.

Miller believes the election is still a choice between the "lesser of two evils." She doesn’t fully support Harris.

She cited the ongoing genocide in Palestine and Harris’ pro-police stance as areas that she does not agree with.

However, knowing former President Trump’s goals for the country and his stance on policies like abortion, Harris is the only real choice, she said.

“The overturning of Roe v Wade has been a huge topic in this election, and we’ve seen an uptick in maternity-related deaths,” Miller said. “I feel like we’re only going to see an uptick of that as we continue to reject [reproductive] health care.”

The vote that matters

By ALEXIS WILSON

"I am voting because I want to know that I did my part in this election," Claflin University student Cheyanne Chambers says.

Chambers, a member of the Gamma Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., is a senior mass communications major with a minor in political science.

“I am voting because I want to know that I did my part in this election. To me, my part is voting on the best candidate by doing my own research for myself, my family and advocacy for all,” Chambers said.

Chambers will be voting for Democratic nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Chambers said her support for Harris stems from policies the vice president is trying to enact on the economy, housing and health care rights.

Harris is a part of the Divine 9, a collective of African American fraternities and sororities. With Harris being a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, she has garnered support from all of the Divine 9.

Chambers, also a member of the Divine 9, knows the impact these organizations will have on the election.

“We fight for justice in every atmosphere of our life, specifically our political realm. I think these organizations will impact the election heavily, by rallying the masses to vote and providing avenues for civic engagement and learning,” Chambers said.

At Claflin University, the Divine 9 has been at the forefront of the election, according to Chambers. They encourage their peers to vote and help students register to do so.

‘Not voting is supporting the other person’

By ALHAYA BRICKLE

"I am voting because it is necessary to vote as a young person,” says Alexander Briggman, a sophomore at Claflin University.

Briggman emphasized that participation in the election empowers individuals to voice their opinions on issues like education and health care.

"Not voting is supporting the other person," said Briggman, noting that not voting for Kamala Harris is voting for Donald Trump.

He does not approve of some of the things that Harris does. "The lesser of two evils.”

Briggman said, "It’s important to get our voices out there, and better the economy".

Trump not right to lead

By EDEN RATTLEY

Former Claflin University student Janiyah Harris says Donald Trump isn’t "a bad person, he just isn’t right to lead."

Until the presidential election is over, the country will never know how things will be without the former president.

Harris said Kamala Harris seems “more humane” than Trump. She touches more on the “realism” of life.

‘Everybody’s rights are at stake’

By BETHANY SCRIVEN

Jazlyn Fairley, a junior mass communications major, said Vice President Kamala Harris is the best candidate for president.

Fairley believes the election is critical for everyone's human rights, especially her own as a Black woman.

“Donald Trump has policies in place and plans in place, or concepts of a plan in place to where women's rights will be … nonexistent, if you will. And I believe that Kamala Harris has the right ideas, the right plans, the right policies in place, to where I know that my child's future is secure with her policies.”

Fairley described the impact the two debates had on her choice in the presidential election

“I wasn't able to watch the second debate, but the first debate I watched, and honestly, it only made my opinion stronger. And you know, I'm ready to see what it looks like with the woman in office. We've only ever had male presidents, and we were just now having a female vice president, and I believe that it's time for a change.”

Fairley is not fan of former President Trump.

“Donald Trump should not win the election because everybody's rights are at stake. … Minorities will pretty much be even more of a minority. Our rights gone, our ability to do things that we've normally done gone. And I don't want to see that. As a Black woman, I don't want to live in a Jim Crow era. I've only heard about it, and it wasn't that long ago, but I would hate to live in that era.”

Fairley cited key issues.

“There's honestly a lot. You got climate change, you've got border control, you've got immigration, you've got women's rights, you've got gun control.”

'Tensions are high’

By TYLER STARKS

Claflin students are engaging in their right to vote.

Senior music education major Keenan Robinson voted early and believes it’s important that everyone eligible to vote do so.

“Yes, I have voted and it’s important for everyone to vote because everyone has their own opinions and say on how this country should be run. It’s important to put your mind out so the people in office can hear what you have to say.”

“Tensions are high, and you can expect them to reach their peak election night when we find out the results,” Robinson said.

“There’s going to be some discourse, but like every election, I believe we’ll go back to normal eventually.”