Syracuse N.Y. (NCC News) — First-year students at Syracuse University cast their ballots for the first time at Huntington Hall on Tuesday evening, representing a broader national increase of Gen Zers heading to the polls this election cycle.
According to Tufts University research, about 40.8 million members of Gen Z (ages 18-27) will be eligible to vote on Election Day, with roughly 8.3 million of these voters being newly eligible (ages 18-19) this cycle. Among these newly eligible voters are SU students who said they were excited to cast their vote.
“I thought it was going to be a lot more chaotic, but it was pretty easy,” said Arielle Gin, 18, a Manhattan native and first-year at SU. “I think a lot is on the line with this election, and I wanted to use my voice now that I am 18 and can cast my vote.”
Gin said she voted for Kamala Harris as Harris’ political experience and views on reproductive rights and climate change stood out to her.
“I think she’s a lot more qualified with her experience in government. And I really can’t stand Trump’s policies that he wants to implement, mainly with Project 2025,” she said.
Other Gen Z voters expressed uncertainty over New York state mail-in ballot policies, pointing to a need for more communication from the state, but were able to vote at the polls despite the confusion.
“My experience [voting] wasn’t too bad. The line wasn’t too long, and it did move relatively quickly. I did have the issue of the government not mailing my ballot,” said Ismail Shahid, 18, a first-year at SU from New York City. “They had no clue what was going on when I got there, but I was able to vote at the polls anyway,”
Shahid said he voted today not because of a particular candidate but because of Proposition 1 on the back of the ballot. The proposition, also known as the Equal Rights Amendment, would prohibit discrimination based on factors such as “gender expression” and “pregnancy outcomes.”
“I didn’t vote for any party; I was there mainly to support Prop 1,” Shahid said. “I voted yes because I think it’s very important that we protect the rights of those who need it most.”