SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — With the Syracuse mayoral election less than three weeks away, concerns about young voter turnout are on the rise again. Even though major issues like housing and safety are on the ballot, local elections still seem to fly under the radar for young people.
“It doesn’t really affect me, because I feel like Syracuse University is so outside the purview of mayor,” said SU sophomore Aisha Sow. “Like, they have their own rules and regulations, so I don’t feel like my vote really counts for anything that I’ll see in Syracuse.”
This sentiment reflects a broader trend of disengagement among young voters. Even though the city has a high concentration of college students who live in the area most of the year, many feel their vote is not necessary in local elections.
Baobao Zhang, an associate professor of political science at Syracuse University, believes the voter registration process discourages many students from casting a ballot.
“I tell my students to go out and vote, especially with polling locations near campus,” Zhang said. “But having to change their voter registration is often a deterrent. They don’t want to go through that bureaucracy just to be able to vote here.”
The voter registration deadline for the Nov. 4 election is Oct. 25. Early voting runs from Oct. 25 through Nov. 2 at sites across Onondaga County.
As for the candidates: Sharon Owens, the current deputy mayor and Democratic nominee, is seen as the front-runner and would become Syracuse’s first Black mayor if elected. Tom Babilon, the Republican contender and former city hall lawyer, is campaigning on fiscal restraint and criticism of the current administration. Tim Rudd and Alphonso Davis, both independent candidates, are pushing for greater accountability, citizen input and alternative approaches to city politics.
Central Current, a nonprofit local news outlet, conducted in-depth interviews with all four mayoral candidates. Their questions and answers are linked to the candidates’ names above.
As Election Day approaches, local officials and educators hope to reverse this trend and inspire more students to engage in city politics and recognize that their votes influence the community they call home.