The polling office inside the Occhiato Student Center saw steady traffic today as CSU Pueblo students participated in what might be the most consequential election of their young lives. With the presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris deadlocked in battleground states and control of Congress up for grabs, first-time voters on campus are feeling the weight of their civic responsibility.
“I voted as soon as I could,” says history major Bryana Lark, who’s particularly concerned about education funding. Like many of her peers, she relies entirely on grants and financial aid to pursue her degree. The proposed changes to public education funding under Project 2025 have sparked worry among students who see their academic futures hanging in the balance.
For Lark’s partner Jesse Cortez, who plans to enroll at CSU Pueblo next fall, the stakes feel just as high. “When I go to college, I’ll be going on grants,” he explains, “and if it gets taken away, then I know I won’t be able to.” As young parents, the couple has been tag-teaming their educational pursuits while raising their children, making federal education funding crucial to their family’s future.
Not every student rushed to the polls with such certainty. Justin Smith, a Computer Information Systems major, admits he felt pressured into voting in his first election. “Both candidates seem to have a little bit of truth and a little bit of lies,” he reflects. Yet Smith recognizes the historical significance, especially for voters of color, “It’s definitely something special to me and people that look like me… because it wasn’t always [possible].”
The enthusiasm among young voters has become a crucial factor in recent elections. The 2020 election saw record youth turnout, with half of eligible 18- to 29-year-olds casting ballots. The 2022 midterms further proved young voters’ growing influence, particularly in swing states. However, this election cycle brings new complexities, with campus antiwar protests and the “uncommitted movement” suggesting possible fractures in youth support for traditional party positions.
For freshman Joshua Garcia, who turns 18 this election year, the opportunity to vote feels “exciting.” Coming from California, he’s particularly focused on inflation and cost of living issues. “It’s hard living in a city where it costs a lot to live,” he says, comparing his home state’s expenses to Colorado’s.
CSU Pueblo has worked to make voting accessible and engaging. The Associated Student Government hosted Presidential Debate watch parties throughout the semester, and the on-campus ballot drop box has made voting more convenient for busy students. “The mail-in process is really good,” notes Lark. “Instead of going down to the polls, I could just fill my ballot out real quick.”
As polls close and the nation holds its breath, CSU Pueblo President Valdez reminds the campus community of the bigger picture: “While elections have consequences, they are not the ‘end-all, be-all’ of our future. Our power lies in our people, and our system is designed to maintain balance.”
Whether they’re first-time voters or returning to the ballot box, CSU Pueblo students are proving that young voices matter – not just in determining election outcomes, but in shaping the future of their community and country.
