To vote or not to vote? Berkeley students pick sides
Millennials will play a crucial role in this unusually polarized presidential election
October 3, 2016
Millennials could play a crucial role in who wins the White House next month. Will this key voting bloc — especially those who once had their hearts set on Bernie Sanders — vote in meaningful numbers on Nov. 8? And, if so, how will they vote? We stopped by various campus locations to ask a sampling of UC Berkeley students where they stand. Whether they’re strong for Clinton or Trump, leaning, undecided or “Bernie or bust”‘ stalwarts who plan to stay home or cast third-party ballots, Berkeley students, it seems, are all over the electoral map. Click through slideshow below.
"This election is going to affect the next four and possibly eight years of our lives so it's really important to vote. I'm passionate about the environment. That should be the priority." -- Jose Reyes, freshman, political science and environmental science. He's with Hillary. (UC Berkeley photos by Yasmin Anwar)
"The College Republicans have not officially endorsed Donald Trump. We're still in discussion about it." -- Jose Diaz, president of the Berkeley College Republicans
"I'm more inspired to vote now because I don't want Trump to win. I feel bad for saying it, but Hillary doesn't seem as bad as him." -- Heather Savoy, Ph.D. student, environmental engineering
"I'm on the fence. Clinton takes the high road most of the time. Trump is a little crass and unrefined, but more straightforward and decisive in leaning toward American values. I'm a supporter of labor unions and I want the middle class to grow, and I didn't hear Trump talk about unions. I have a lot more research to do." -- Austin Smith, junior, political science
"I was a supporter of Bernie Sanders, so voting for Hillary is a way of preventing Trump. Even though I don't agree with all of Hillary's platform, by not voting, that's another vote that would go to Trump." -- Christie Ngo, junior, nutritional science and psychology
"For too long we've had a political elite dominate the people. We have no voice anymore. This is the best way to make the change, to bring the government back to the people, to shift the power back to the working class, the average Americans. That's why I truly believe in Trump." -- Naweed Tahmas, junior, political science, member of Berkeley College Republicans
Branden West and Jose Diaz staff the Berkeley College Republicans booth near Sather Gate, which sees a lot of action: "We have a member who has been sucker- punched twice for being open about his support for Donald Trump. We had our sign taken. There's always a group yelling at us using very vulgar language. It feels dangerous. At the same time, it's kind of fun," says Tahmas.
"I've never really been big into politics. I feel like neither candidate is good, there's downsides to both." -- Gentle Williams, freshman who doesn't plan to vote
"The biggest impact on voting is from the Baby Boomer generation who are now retiring. When they vote, they will represent their interests, and I think it's important that the younger generation votes to represent our interests. I was very much for Bernie. Now I'm voting for Hillary. I get a little upset when people say they are not going to vote because there are so many people who can't vote and who are going to be living under the same circumstances." -- Natalia Juarez, freshman, political science
"I don't know who to vote for. I don't want Hillary and I don't want to vote for Trump either. I'm thinking about voting for Jill Stein (Green Party). Bernie was the man for me. It's been hard making the adjustment to Hillary. I don't like a lot of things she and her husband stood for in the 1990s. I remember the crime bill and welfare reform. They never thought about the poor people." -- Shalita Williams, senior, sociology
"I was with Bernie for a long time and passionately and it was hard when the DNC decided to go with Hillary. But for me, I had to ask myself, who is the candidate that will represent where my political beliefs align, and yes, that's Hillary. I haven't liked the politics on either side. I just happen to align more to the left." -- Tallon Burger, senior, film and media studies
"My gut tells me that this is the time to make our vote count because once the direction of this country goes one way or another, it will be very difficult to turn it back. I support Trump because he represents someone who is not afraid to speak his mind." -- Branden West, sophomore, physics, member of the Berkeley College Republicans
"A lot of Bernie's policies resonated with me, but I also think Hillary has immense experience and stamina, and I think she'd be a very effective leader." -- Rachel Ward, Ph.D. student, Latin American studies
"I never vote because I feel like my vote won't influence anything. It's probably the economist in me. Voting just doesn't feel efficient. Even if I wanted to vote, it feels like both candidates are losing situations. I don't really agree with either of them." -- Thomas Sun, junior, economics
"When it was Hillary and Bernie, I wanted Bernie, but, you know, it didn't happen. The transition to Hillary wasn't too hard. This is the first time I have the opportunity to vote, and if you have the opportunity, why not take it? A lot of people in my family don't have the right to vote, so if you have it, you should take it." -- Yasmeen Magana, freshman
"It's really important for our country to have good leadership. I supported Bernie in the primaries, but I'm also very excited for Hillary. Trump's ideology scares me." -- Jonathan Proctor, Ph.D. student, resource economics
"I wasn't a crazy 'Feel the Bern' person but I was definitely leaning towards him. I'm torn between sticking to my pride and writing in Bernie Sanders and at the same time, I don't want to waste my vote. It would feel terrible if I didn't put my vote towards Hillary and Trump ended up winning. I don't like Hillary, but I hate Trump."-- Ezra Schroeder, junior, psychology, undecided
A cardboard cutout of Donald Trump in the College Republicans booth was ripped apart by vandals and then taped back together by club members.